It is a distinguishing element of Morris' book design that the deployment of letters on the spine- so often an unsuccessful exercise in this period - allowed him to sustain continuity while showing great originality. See how Morris orchestrates letters and ornament . See how he responds to the challenge of the double letters - the eccentric treatment of the "O" - the "H" and the "U" in adapting to existing space - the register of numbers with "th" underlined. The letters could spell out "Longfellow" or "Essays from the Spectator". At the foot of this display is the opportunity to compare two different spines for the same title.