Paul Shaw: W.A. Dwiggins and his alter ego, Hermann Püterschein


Paul Shaw spoke to the APHA / Chesapeake Chapter and the Washington Rare Book Group on book and type designer W.A. Dwiggins and his alter ego, Hermann Püterschein on September 25, 2008 in the MERIC Classroom in the Mullen Library of The Catholic University.

Ray Nichols summed up the talk with, "It is wonderful to go to a talk and find out something you could never find on your own."

Paul has taught lettering regularly at New York’s Parsons School of Design and conducted workshops and exhibited his work throughout the United States and Europe. His publishing credits include the copybook, Letterforms, and articles for Print, Fine Print, Design Issues and Letter Arts Review. He is the recipient of awards from Type Directors Club, AIGA, the New York Art Directors Club, Print and How magazines, as well as a National Endowment for the Humanities fellowship to study the type designs of Morris Fuller Benton.

Chapter President Mike Denker (right) introducing Paul Shaw (left).

Paul getting into the spotlight.

The example above shows Dwiggins's graphic design work and the stencil method he often used for his images.

Paul has been investigating the creative life of W.A. Dwiggins for 30 years and throughout the talk he included wonderful illustrations of his work, many of which are not documented in any of the printed work on Dwiggins's life.

Mike Denker, host Lenore Rouse, curator of the Rare Book Department at The Catholic University, and Paul Shaw.


Afterwards the Chapter held a reception for Paul, resulting in a continuing discussion about Dwiggins and all kinds of issues related to printing, newly acquired printing equipment and type, and lots of good friendly discussion.

Mike Denker left worring over bread, Ray Nichols and Chris Manson deep in letterpress talk, and Paul Shaw talking books with Lenore Rouse.


Greg Robison, Jill Cypher, Paul Shaw and Chris Sweterlitsch.

Jill Cypher and Ray Nichols brought a prototype of a broadside they are doing with the Chesapeake Chapter and will be given to all attending the APHA national conference being held on October 10-12 in New York City.

Photos by Ray Nichols & Jill Cypher.