W.A. Dwiggins: Towards a Reform of the Paper Currency

[U. S. paper money] stands as the prime symbol of value in the infinite transactions of a great commercial nation. It is worth its face in gold . . . but, my God! what a face! —W.A. Dwiggins

Towards a Reform of the Paper Currency particularly in point of its design is a passionate and lively little rant with lots of good design ideas for the improvement of banknotes and stamps—and just about anything else. First published in 1932 by the Limited Editions Club in an edition of 452 copies, this new edition is also printed in an edition of 452 copies—potentially doubling the number of copies in the world. In truth, the original edition is now one of WAD’s less seen and more expensive books and is often selling for one hundred or more times its original publication price of $5.84. This new edition features reproductions of banknotes and stamps issued by the Treasury of Antipodes which Dwiggins found to be exceptional and a potential model for the redesign of U.S. currency. Also included are reproductions of the U.S. banknotes and stamps in circulation at the time of the original publication so that readers can see what Dwiggins found so offensive.

This copy is one of the forty-five hand-bound copies from the 2015 edition co-published by David R. Godine, the Typophiles, and Kat Ran Press. The covers feature a pattern designed by Cyrus Highsmith.