Ralph Fletcher Seymour Co.

active Chicago, 1897-1966

Biography
Ralph Fletcher Seymour (March 18, 1876 – January 1, 1966). While working for the J. Manz Engraving Company, Ralph Fletcher Seymour began designing and publishing his own books in his spare time. The first book Seymour produced on his own was completed in 1897, featuring John Keats’ "Ode to Melancholy". He hand-lettered the text and designed the small book to imitate old wood block books. His second was "Three Merry Old Tales" 1898, based on "Shakespeare Jest Book". In some respects, Three Merry Old Tales was Seymour’s first book published for commercial distribution. For his third, he chose Browning’s "Sonnets from the Portuguese." 1899. In 1900 he took over space in the Fine Arts Building from Charles Francis Browne. In October 1900 he published his fourth book, "The Eve of St. Agnes", by John Keats. Illustrated and lettered by hand, and printed in two colors. This volume included six illustrations by Seymour plus one customized illustration accompanied by his signature. Frank Lloyd Wright worked with Seymour in 1911 after his return from Europe. Seymour published "The Morality of Woman and Other Essays" Key, "Love and Ethics" Key, 1912, and "The Torpedo under the Ark" also by Key in 1912. That same year he also published Wright’s "The Japanese Print: An Interpretation". He continued publishing books until his death when he was hit by a car walking home early morning New Year’s Day 1966, at the age of 89. For additional information concerning Seymour work, see the "Caxtonian" May 2011.

(From http://www.steinerag.com/flw/Books/seymour.htm)

Person TypeInstitution

Last Updated8/7/24

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