Roycroft Fall History Course: Session 1

William Wallace Denslow caught the attention of Elbert Hubbard in 1896, after Denslow requested a Roycroft book by way of an illustrated envelope. A few months later, Hubbard would formally ask Denslow to contribute his work to the company. Denslow’s freelance caricatures, designs, and trademark seahorse signature would become prominent features of Roycroft publications, especially The Philistine. Denslow would go on to greater fame outside the Roycroft illustrating such classic work as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in 1900, Mother Goose in 1901, and The Night Before Christmas, in 1902. He would continue to contribute artwork to the Roycroft, even after his Wizard of Oz success. His last cover of The Philistine appears in 1915, just months before his death. This talk is in conjunction with the current special exhibit in the Roycroft Campus Museum, featuring the variety and volume of contributions that W. W. Denslow made during the time that he and Elbert Hubbard became friends and collaborators. The Roycroft Campus is pleased to partner with the International Wizard of Oz Club for this special exhibit and presentation.