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This collection is a small group of materials relating to R. Hunter Middleton and his work.  In addition to one engraved Bewick wood block, there is a group of discarded (and rescued) proofs of Bewick prints from blocks, a small group of prints and correspondence, a Caxton keepsake "Alphabet in Process" (1984-85), and  a file of reference material.

Associated items in the box include most notably Middleton's innovative make-ready for printing this block, a build-up of layers of carefully cut layers to force the print page into the grooves of the engraved wood. There is also correspondence with the former owner, Everett Sentman of Lake Forest, and a 1944 holiday card with an engraving from a block of Bewick's printed by Middleton. The bulk of the box's contents though consists of fifty prints by Middleton of the "Crane Hawking"/"Heron taking an eel" vignette and fifty folders for them.

Block of cherry wood 2" wide by 2 and 3/4" long; 7/8" deep, with engraving some to the depth of 1/8" as the sides defining the area of the printed block. Engraved by Thomas Bewick.

Mailed envelope, for first letter, autograph addressed and return address marked.

One sheet of paper with a print in black (ice skaters on a pond) and text around it in red ("With a vignette engraved by Thomas Bewick in 1799 the Middletons send you Greetings - Christmas 1944.")

One of three pulls of this block, this one inked the lightest.

One of three pulls on fine paper of this large block, this one inked in the middle and with more detail of the fence post, but perhaps less on the left. All are 8" by 10."

Printed in red at the bottom of the sheet is Print Number 46, on the right, with Bewick: Cherryburn Edition 1970" on the left.

This is a standard envelope for holding unfolded standard stationery, with a flap at one end, here in the right.  In pencil Middleton has written on it at he top in large letters, "Prints for Mrs. Paepcke."  Below this, centered at the addressee location it reads "R. H. Middleton / 4722 Dover St. Chicago."

A copy of v. 6, no. 10 (October 1998) of the Caxtonian, with "The Professional Bookman: Middleton at Ludlow," 1, 6, by Paul Gehl, and "Beck's Turtle Press Emerged from Bob Middleton's Cherryburn Press," 7, by Bruce Beck.

"Remembering Bruce Beck..." article (photocopy) from Caxtonian, v. 17, no. 11 (Nov. 2009), 1-5.

The small Bewick wood block, etc. group consists of the contents of a specially-made box, approx. 6" wide by 7" tall by 2" deep.  The box was created by Chicago avocational private printer R. Hunter Middleton, preserver and printer of Thomas Bewick's late 1700s-early 1800s wood engraved blocks. The block is Bewick's "Crane Hawking" vignette, as identified by Middleton on a small print.  This print is identified by Ian Bain (1981, p. 9) as "A heron taking an eel..." which was first published in British Birds, 1847.

One color photograph print, 5" by 3.5" of a similar box, block and printed vignette (of a bird on a branch).

One of three pulls of this block, this one inked the in the middle of the three.

Short autograph letter signed acknowledging receipt of Sentman's check for $100 and his promise to deliver the item as promised, beginning work immediately. Same stationery and simple letterhead, etc.

One of three pulls of this block, this one inked the heaviest of the three.

One of three pulls on fine paper of this large block, this one inked more the lightest among the three, and showing more detail on the left side but less of the fence post under the tail. All are 8" by 10."

One page autograph letter signed "Bob M." The stationery is a simple sheet of onionskin with the name and address upper left. Addressed "Dear Everett," it implies an earlier conversation to which this a follow-up in writing detailing an offer of a block and related work by him for a sum of $100 (this was he year the U.S. devalued the dollar by going off the gold standard, and this price reflects the earlier exchange rate of $32 per ounce of gold). He details what he is offering. the box and lid are "made form binders board covered with cloth an[d] gold stamped." there will be fifty prints from the block. The letter is signed "cordially." Sentman, who lived on Illinois Road near the College in the 1970s, was editor at United Educators, Lake Bluff. This was purchased after his retirement.