Friday’s Library Snapshot … Edward O’Rourke Dickey

Edward O’Rourke Dickey (1894-1977) was a wood engraver and the least well known of the founder members of the Society of Wood Engravers. He contributed regularly to their exhibitions until 1924.  

He only illustrated a few books and this one by Richard Rowley is notable. His single prints, display and modernist feel, with stark black and white areas with purposeful tool effects; parallel lines, dots and patterns.  Dickey, with careful use of light and emotional hints shows his sense of drama; particularly in the Machinery   where the woman hides her face from the grim spectacle as the ghost-like figure come into the room carrying a coffin.  Even the powerful image on the front cover gives a glimpse into the social history of contemporary wood-engraved illustration.  

I would value details of Edward O’Rourke Dickey’s later work and his life in general.