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H. D. C. Pepler (1878–1951)

Author of The Devil's devices, or Control versus service

6 Works 9 Members 2 Reviews

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Works by H. D. C. Pepler

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A page of H. D. C. Pepler's 'The hand press' (orig. pub. 1934), set up here by Justin Howes (1963-2005) of Rushden, Northants, probably for a keepsake, one of a number of still-intact formes received by Miles Wigfield in a consignment of Caslon typeface, and now reprinted by Wigfield's Reading Room Press as a tribute to Justin Howes. And it makes a touching tribute and a pleasing item, a single folded sheet stitched into a blue paper wrapper.
 
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Cynfelyn | Feb 7, 2021 |
"The Devil's Devices, Control vs Service", is a collectible book published in 1915, and best (though still rarely) known for it's Eric Gill woodcut engravings.

It should be better known and distributed in paperback form for its respectful treatment of work and craftsmanship and its disdain for servitude and the questionable benefits of higher productivity of lesser quality goods. In The Devil's Devices, Hilary Pepler holds individuals responsible for the current state of affairs and, rather than criticize those who identify with their work, offers an alternate path (with significant historical precedent) where work and servitude aren't the same thing, making work an honorable, important, perhaps even a central part of one's existence. Further, he offers no out for the supposedly "powerless" individual nor does he plot revolution to seize control. Using Jesus as an example he suggests that good human behavior may bring fulfillment but necessarily end on the cross. And he doesn't offer some future, heavenly reward--in fact he suggests that such motivation is more likely a devilish device.

Reminding us of something our parents (or at least great-grandparents) taught and something we all recognize, to a more or less vague extent, to be true, Pepler offers challenge and hard work as rewards rather than sacrifice. He maintains the individuals accountability for his state of affairs, since the individual retains much in the way of choice over his own actions and approach to life and work--if he will accept genuine rewards in exchange for what some might call "sacrifices".

Thanks are owed to Microsoft evidently (every page includes a note that it was "digitized by Microsoft") and certainly to Cornell University for digitizing its copy of this rare book and making it available online. I was able to read a few pages of this book in a rare book store and immediately wanted to read it in it's entirety--but was unwilling to spend several hundred dolllars to obtain a copy. My personal thanks to Cornell University for enabling me and others to read this out of print, generally unavailable book.
… (more)
 
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brianwill | Jan 4, 2010 |

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Associated Authors

Miles Wigfield Foreword, Printer
Justin Howes Compositor

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