Bookplates and Flags: la Rose's Harvard

Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Given all my research regarding the heraldic work of Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941), I knew at some point I would need to examine and understand the heraldry of Harvard and la Rose's involvement.  One can hardly mention la Rose's name and not dive into his work for the university's tercentenary celebration.  For this article, however, I will focus on some of the origins of Harvard's arms while highlighting a few artifacts from la Rose's work with the university.     

Blue for Harvard?

Like most folks, I simply had no idea that Harvard's livery colors came so late in university's history.  Allow me to share my findings.

On December 27, 1643, the Overseers of Harvard College formally adopted a seal with a coat of arms for the young college in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  The arms within the seal would bear three open books inscribed with the motto, veritas.  The tinctures, or colors for the arms, were never codified.  Why?  Likely because the seal would have been engraved, and I can only image how expensive a colored painting of the seal and arms would have been at the time.    

According to Hammond (1981), the first instance when red was used in the arms occurred in 1753 for a diploma case bearing Benjamin Franklin's honorary degree.  Somehow, then, red disappeared.  When the university celebrated its bicentennial in 1836, a flag with a blue field along with those open and inscribed books appeared on the scene (Hammond, 1981, 262).  Blue?  

Rendering of Harvard's Bicentennial Flag of 1836,
by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Fast forward 22 years.

An auspicious event occurred on the riverbanks of the Charles River in 1858 requiring clear identification for Harvard's crew team.  Red handkerchiefs were purchased for the team to tie around their heads in order to help spectators spot their boys on the water (Hammond, 1981, 262).  The handkerchiefs clearly worked.  

On June 8, 1858, the Harvard Corporation codified the blazon for the university's arms and the field was officially red (Hammond, 1981, 262).  Thus, the primary purpose of heraldry won the day, clear identification of the bearer remains paramount.  The blazon for the arms of Harvard University:  Gules, three open books edged with two clasps Or thereon inscribed Veritas.  

Red is Red

When the Corporation of the University of Pennsylvania officially adopted arms on June 20, 1932--to become effective on July 1, 1933--la Rose was consulted and provided a few observations for the committee responsible for the final design.

"Gules in heraldry is bright red--heraldry knows nothing about crimson, cherry, etc. which is purely a livery detail.  In one's liveries (and athletic colours and academic hoods come under that head) one may establish any shade or tone of a colour one chooses, but not so in heraldry...One may fixe a 'blazon' for all time...but every subsequent painter, carver, or die-cutter is wholly at liberty to carry out the blazon in his own manner...In other words, the actual draughtsmanship of heraldry is a very flexible thing, and an heraldic composition is good or bad according to the disposition and colouring of its charges, not their draughtsmanship" (The Pennsylvania Gazette, 1933, 2-4). 

It's likely the crimson reference was aimed at Harvard which insists on using crimson within its coat of arms.  

The graphic above illustrates two variations of the arms using bright red (Gules) and a darker shade for crimson.  La Rose's observation regarding how the color red differs in one's coat of arms from athletic colors is a critical point often missed by academic institutions insisting on color conformity.  

Bookplate Designs

La Rose was famous within Harvard Yard for his "decorations" and design capabilities.  In fact, his earliest know heraldic work can be found among Harvard's social clubs.  

The bookplate of the Digamma Club, nicknamed the Fox Club, designed by la Rose.  Image is from Ward (1915) page 122.

La Rose was something of keen designer of heraldic bookplates.  In 1902, la Rose designed the bookplate for the Digamma Club, nicknamed the Fox Club.  Based on the hatching in the above image, the arms la Rose designed for the club are blazoned:  Vert, a fox rampant Or holding in dexter paw the letter F Or.  These arms are truly fascinating and the only instance that I can think of where an actual letter is used as a heraldic charge.  

The Fox Club's bookplate is but one example of la Rose's early work for many of the social clubs at  Harvard. 

Ex Libris of Harvard College Library, designed by la Rose in 1913.  Image courtesy of the Special Collections Department, University of Delaware Library.

La Rose designed several bookplates for Harvard's library, using various shield shapes and arrangements in his work.  The above image is one example of la Rose's work for the library executed in 1913.  Harold Wilmerding Bell (1885-1947) and la Rose were close friends, and I could image this bookplate was somewhat special for la Rose to design.   I am particularly drawn to la Rose's arrangement of Harvard's arms and how he placed Bell's arms above in the cartouche.  

Based on the hatching seen in this bookplate, the arms of Harold Wilmerding Bell are blazoned:  Sable, three bells two and one Argent and three mullets of six points one and two Or.  Bell's bookplate is but one example of a number of designs la Rose created for Harvard's library. 

An Official University Flag

By 1918 we see something new and unusual from la Rose in relation to any of his heraldic work for Harvard--an armorial flag.  What is an armorial flag?  Armorial flags are heraldic ensigns appropriated for outdoor use and typically used by corporate bodies.  Sometimes called "banner of arms," the design from within the shield is merely laid out in a rectangular form with a ration of 2:3.  However, the flag of the corporate sole--and its foundations--are rendered longer in length to show its importance in relation to any other flags.  Thus, I prefer the term armorial flag to describe this method of flying heraldry--it is by far my favorite.

Image from Harvard Alumni Bulletin (1918, March, 17) page 428.  Click image to enlarge.

The Harvard Alumni Bulletin published on March 7, 1918 la Rose’s design for a new flag which the Harvard Corporation adopted.  Based on my research to date, Harvard's design for a banner of arms is la Rose's first known work in this area of heraldry. I am quite positive more examples exist, buried deep within institutional archives.  However, la Rose's flag design in 1918 marks a beginning (as we know now) of a new offering to his clients and numerous academic institutions would purchase his designs for armorial flags.

Emblazonments showing the layout of an
armorial flag for Harvard.  Rendered by the author.

The graphic above illustrates the process of designing an armorial flag or banner of arms.  It's quite simple, especially in the case of Harvard, for translating the design.  I will note that when arms include chiefs, chevrons, or more complex designs, rendering the ratio and scale can present some challenges.  At the beginning of this article, I included my take on the armorial flag of Harvard using their "crimson" hex colors.  Harvard's arms are simple and beautiful, my favorite design from the Ivies.

Harvard University.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Below are several armorial flags related to Harvard that I rendered recently--all designed by la Rose.  

Harvard Law School.  These arms have been retired as the school adopted a new design.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Harvard College.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Harvard Divinity School.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Kirkland House, Harvard.  These arms have been retired as the house adopted a new design,
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Harvard Graduate School.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Adams House, Harvard.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024. 

Lowell House, Harvard.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

For now, we'll pause here regarding la Rose and Harvard--there's still much more to unpack and analyze.

Works Cited

Hammond, M. (1981, July). A Harvard armory: Part 1. Harvard Library Bulletin, 29(3), pp. 261-297.

Harvard Alumni Bulletin. (1918, March, 17).  Drawing of the new Harvard banner.  Harvard Alumni Bulletin, 20(23), 428.

Ward, H.P. (1915).  Some American college bookplates.  Champlin Printing.

Muddy Waves for Brookline: A Case Study in Unification of Arms by la Rose

Arms of Brookline Public Library in Brookline, MA
designed by Pierre de Chaignon la Rose.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Several years ago, I happened upon a most unusual find created by Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941) for Brookline Public Library in Brookline, Massachusetts.  While la Rose is widely known for his ecclesiastical heraldic work, finding artifacts relating to his civic heraldry is quite rare.  La Rose designed the seal for the library working with Richard Clipston Sturgis (1860-1951) who was the architect for building.  Completed in 1910, Sturgis incorporated into the eastern facade of the building la Rose's seal for the library (Trustees of Brookline Public Library, 1911, 363).  For additional background and context relating to the arms of Brookline Public Library, please click here.    

Ex Libris of Brookline Public Library located in Brookline, Massachusetts.  Image is from the Author's private collection.

Recently, I purchased an ex libris containing la Rose's design for the library--I was thrilled to have a clear image of this simple coat.  Based on the heraldic hatching of the arms, the blazon for the arms of Brookline Public Library is: Gules, an open book edged with three clasps Or inscribed Sapientia Legendo and in base barry wavy Argent and Sable.  

After I wrote my analysis back in 2020, I believed that was all that could be mentioned about these arms.  Until now.

A Muddy River

We know, based on collected data, that la Rose maintained a strict adherence to design schemes for those charges and layouts for arms.  In other words, once he determined how a charge should be rendered, generally speaking, he kept to the design.  Moreover, once he settled on how he would geographically identify a given coat of arms, he would maintain that design in order to illustrate unification with those coats.

La Rose never referred to himself as a herald, per se, likely knowing full well the title carried more than simply designing coats of arms.  Rather, la Rose saw himself as an "archeologist," and embraced this title through his heraldic work by incorporating critical elements from the past in new corporate arms for unique identification.  Brookline is no exception to his keen sense of that calling.

Banner of arms, Brookline Public Library.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Prior to its official incorporation in 1705, the town of Brookline was known as "Muddy River."  It is highly likely the black and white lines of barry wavy are la Rose's method of referencing Brookline's history.  In the absence of any correspondence or rationale for Brookline Public Library, the design reference matches scores of examples in my data of how the designer would illustrate local history in corporate arms.  For example, the City of Boston was once known as "Tremontinensis," and from this la Rose used the trimount as a symbolic reference for geographical identification (la Rose, 1911, 5). 

Two Newly Discovered Arms

As my research progressed, I discovered two additional coats of arms for corporate bodies located in Brookline and these findings simply astounded me.  Ironically, I found these arms on my birthday, and I quietly said "thank you," to both la Rose and the heraldic gods up above!  Just when I believed to have la Rose figured out, something new emerges keeping me alert and on my toes. 

From a careful review of yearbooks from Roman Catholic schools in Massachusetts, I randomly stumbled on St. Mary of the Assumption High School located in Brookline.  Yearbooks are a rich source for scanning academic seals and coats of arms.  Inside the school's 1941 yearbook Assumpta, I found two seals containing arms for the school and its sponsoring parish.  In both sets, the black and white lines of barry wavy are present along with additional charges for identification and unification.

A disclaimer.  As is usually the case with these artifacts, very little evidence exists to corroborate the designer, the blazon, or even the date of creation.  For this reason alone, I constructed what I call the "Krouse Method," for using existing data to inform my attribution to la Rose.  To learn more about the Krouse Method for data informed attribution, please click here. 

The seal and arms of the Parish of St. Mary Assumption Roman Catholic Church located in Brookline, Massachusetts.  Image is from St. Mary of the Assumption High School (1941), p.7.

Here we find a very rare example of la Rose designing arms for a parish church, as I have but only a couple in my data of more than 250 designs for corporate arms.  

Coat of arms for the Parish of St. Mary Assumption Roman Catholic Church.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

The seal and arms for the Parish of St. Mary of the Assumption are striking, simple, and clear.  Based on the heraldic hatching in the image above, the arms can be blazoned:  Azure, a six pointed mulllet Argent ensigned by an ancient coronet Or and issuing from base barry wavy Argent and Sable a trimount Or. 

Each design component within the parish's arms provides important symbolism for identifying the church.  The blue field, star, and ancient coronet represent the Queen of Heaven, the Blessed Virgin Mary.  The trimount in base identifies the parish as one within the Archdiocese of Boston, and the black and white barry wavy geographically places the community within Brookline.  Finally, the arms are set within la Rose's classic gothic quatrefoil seal wafer surrounded with the legend in Latin using Lombardic font.  Who else, I dare ask, could render in such a simple and clear manner arms bursting with meaning and identification? 

The seal and arms of St. Mary of the Assumption High School located
in Brookline, Massachusetts.  Image is from St. Mary of the Assumption
High School (1941), page 20.   

The arms of the school carry forward several design elements from those found in the parish's coat.  First, the color of the field and the ancient coronet show unification with the parish as well as symbolizing the Blessed Virgin Mary.  The black and white barry wavy lines geographically locate the school in Brookline.  While I cannot find the citation at the moment, I did read the parish's territory was dedicated to St. Joseph, thus both the chevron rendered as a carpenter's square and three Madonna lilies provide additional geographical identification.  

Based on the heraldic hatching for St. Mary of the Assumption High School, the blazon is:  Azure, issuing from base barry wavy Argent and Sable three Madonna lilies conjoined and seeded Argent enfiled by an ancient coronet and overall a chevron rendered as a carpenter's square Or.

Two Religious Congregations 

Diving deeper into the background surrounding the arms of the high school reveals a bit of a mystery in terms of la Rose's possible referencing within his design.  We find two religious congregations involved at the school.  In the beginning, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur were invited to run--what I believe the history shows--the elementary school in Brookline.  According to Oates (1978), this congregation was not terribly keen on teaching boys, and so it appears the elementary school was strictly for girls (p. 662).

In 1924, however, things changed.  The parish decided to open a co-educational high school and needed new teachers willing and able to help, and the Sisters of St. Joseph from the Boston Congregation filled the void (Oates, 1978, 664).  If 1924 was the year in which St. Mary of the Assumption High School opened, then it's likely la Rose's use of the conjoined Madonna lilies and chevron as a carpenter's square was referencing the Boston Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph.  Since it appears that the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur had no involvement with the high school, then, the reference to the Boston Congregation makes perfect sense.  

The supporting evidence for this theory can be found three years prior to the school's opening.  In 1921, la Rose designed the Boston Congregation's arms and blazoned them: Azure, issuing from a vase Or in base three flowering lilies Argent, overall a chevron rendered as a carpenter's square Or and on a chief Sable three crowns composed of alternate crosses patty and fleurs-de-lis Or.  I still struggle to rationalize the ancient coronet in the school's arms, perhaps a nod to the crowns in chief from the Sisters' arms, or a charge for unification from the parish's arms?  My take:  the coronet is referencing the parish given la Rose's prominent placement in both arms.  However, its truly anyone's guess.

As the research stands for now, I believe it's highly possible that la Rose designed both the arms for the Parish of St. Mary of the Assumption and its high school around 1924.

After working with the archivist from the Boston Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph, I believe neither the school or the parish know these beautiful designs by la Rose exist.  I hope, possibly, to help bring these back to life for them.  

So, a muddy river shall unite them all.

Works Cited

La Rose, Pierre de C. (1911).  The arms of his Eminence Cardinal Gibbons. The Ecclesiastical Review, 5(45), pp. 2-11. 

Oates, M.J. (1978). Organized voluntarism: The Catholic sisters in Massachusetts, 1870-1940.  American Quarterly, 30(5), pp. 652-680.

St. Mary of the Assumption High School. (1941).  Assumpta.  St. Mary of the Assumption High School.

Trustees of Brookline Public Library. (1911).  The fifty-fourth annual report of the trustees of the public library of Brookline for the year ending December 31, 1910.  Grimes Press, 363.

For the Love of Flags

My ever-expanding collection of armorial desk flags.

Readers will recently notice that I've seriously kicked up my artwork game, namely adding armorial flags and banners to posts in an effort to break up lengthy texts.  My confession:  I am absolutely fascinated by flying heraldry and all thanks to Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941).

I vividly recall the first time I encountered one of la Rose's flags early in my research back in 2014.  For his commission with Mundelein College in 1930, la Rose not only designed a beautiful coat for the institution, but rendered an armorial flag and "banner" as well.  Please click here to learn more about Mundelein College's arms.  I had no idea that a shield's design could be arranged in such a way, and my interest was clearly piqued. 

Armorial flag of Mundelein College designed by la Rose in 1930.
Image courtesy of the Women's and Leadership Archives, Loyola University, 2023.

Seeing la Rose's flag design set off a series of ideas running in my head regarding arms familiar to my experience.  Having admittedly poor draftsmanship, I broke out a pencil and ruler fumbling through multiple attempts to arrange the arms of Sewanee: The University of the South and its schools into flags.  Looking back now, selecting these arms with the intricate Sewanee tressure was probably not the wisest choice for my first go at this newfound interest.  Please click here to read about Sewanee's heraldry.  

Pencil drawings of armorial flags of the University of the South and its schools.
By the Author, 2014.

Dialing in the Sewanee tressure to near perfection about did me in, but I learned that it's all about straight lines and angles.  In the end, I appreciated Dr. McCrady's creativity when he designed these arms.  Below is a curated display of armorial flags commissioned so far, and there's a few more still to come.

The University of the South. 
Rendered by Lucas Hofmann, 2024.

College of Arts & Sciences, the University of the South.
Rendered by Lucas Hofmann, 2024.

The School of Theology, the University of the South.
Rendered by Lucas Hofmann, 2024.

Hampden-Sydney College.
Rendered by Lucas Hofmann, 2024.

The American Heraldry Society.
Rendered by Lucas Hofmann, 2023.

My attributed design for an armorial flag for Fuqua School.
Rendered by Lucas Hofmann, 2023.

The Medieval Academy of America.  The arms were originally designed by la Rose.
Rendered by Lucas Hofmann, 2024.

Lenox School.  The arms were originally designed by la Rose.
Rendered by Lucas Hofmann, 2024.

I've taken my passion for armorial flags to the next level by attempting to digitally emblazon some of my favorite arms designed by la Rose.  Below are several flags I recently rendered as part of a study of la Rose's methods for translating arms from shield to flag.  While not perfect, as I am by no means a digital heraldic artist, I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge.  Honestly, I was slightly impressed after my first go at things.  I started with Harvard's arms and the next thing I knew I created over 20 flags.  

While la Rose did not create the arms for Harvard University, he was the first to translate its shield into a banner of arms which the Harvard Corporation officially adopted in 1918.  Please click here to read more about la Rose's design for an armorial flag for Harvard.  

The second flag rendering attempted was local--the arms of the Diocese of Richmond which are simple and lovely.  To learn more about la Rose's design for the Diocese of Richmond, please click here.  Finally, if the reader is mesmerized--like I am--by the arms la Rose created for St. George's School, click here for my analysis on these stunning arms.  The portion of the lozengy field covered by the red cross of St. George creates a visual delight drawing the eyes immediately to the arms.  

On the heels of three successful armorial flag emblazonments, I went full throttle without looking back.  So enjoy these flags, image if the reader had nothing to look at other than my humble pencil sketches...   

Harvard University based on la Rose's design.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Kirkland House, Harvard.  The arms were originally designed by la Rose and have since changed. Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Harvard Law School.  The arms were originally designed by la Rose and have since changed.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Harvard Divinity School.  The arms were originally designed by la Rose.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Diocese of Richmond (Virginia).  The arms were originally designed by la Rose.  Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Archdiocese of Seattle.  The arms were originally designed by la Rose.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

St. George's School (RI).  These arms were originally designed by la Rose.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Brooks School (MA).  Most likely designed by la Rose.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Berkeley Divinity School at Yale.  These arms were redesigned by la Rose.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Pierson College at Yale.  These arms were originally designed by la Rose.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Rice University.  These arms were originally designed by la Rose.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Two quick projects in the pipeline include digital art for my armorial flag and one for my brother.  Below are my final pencil drawings for Hofmann.

Armorial flag of my brother's arms.

Layout of my assumed arms as an armorial flag.

Armorial flags continue to fascinate me as visual identification flying high on a pole.  The applications for heraldry are truly endless.  More to come.

Behind the Scenes II: Restoring the Dignified Arms of Lenox School

The seal and arms of Lenox School as designed by la Rose.
I was fortunate to find a decent image which cleaned up rather nicely.

I've come to serve, not to be served, a simplification of Matthew 20:28, truly is my goal regarding the heraldic research of Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941).  This passage from Matthew 20:28 was also the motto selected for the arms of Lenox School which was located in Lenox, Massachusetts.  Lenox School, affiliated with The Episcopal Church, opened its doors in 1926 to embody among many things, this Gospel passage from Matthew.  While the school closed in 1972, today an active alumni association continues to work assiduously to preserve the school's legacy.  Please click here to visit the Lenox School Alumni Association's website.  

La Rose's library painting of the arms of Lenox School. 
Image courtesy of the Lenox School Alumni Association.

Sometime between 1930-1931, la Rose was commissioned to design arms for the school and you can read more on his design in a previously written article.  Please click here to read "A Case Study of la Rose's Designs for Episcopal Preparatory Schools."

The blazon la Rose created for the arms of Lenox School: Sable, on a cross saltire an open book edged and inscribed Non ministrari Sed ministrare between three roses and in chief a martin all Or.

When I began researching la Rose's work back in 2014, Lenox School was among the first I discovered.  I immediately found the alumni association's online presence and sent my inquiry to them regarding their beautiful arms.  Much to my delight, I received a lot of information due largely to the group's work in documenting the history of Lenox School.  

Fast forward to 2023.  This past December, the alumni association kindly asked if they could publish my case study article, resuming a rich correspondence that began back in 2014.  No matter that those school doors closed so many years ago, I remain thankful for the association's dedication to sharing the school's story and this got me thinking.  How could I repay the association's kindness while also contributing towards their preservation efforts?  Well, since I was able to assist the Medieval Academy of America with their exquisite arms designed by la Rose, I figured I could do the same for Lenox School.  Please click here to read, "Behind the Scenes: The Heraldic Identity of the Medieval Academy of America."

I contacted my colleague Lucas Hofmann with my ideas, as he expertly recreated the arms for the Medieval Academy of America and I knew we could accomplish the same finished product for the alumni association.

Click image to enlarge.

From la Rose's library painting above, I was able to use his original version of the arms for restoration.  While the image was clearly distorted due to age, I knew we could work with this asset.  I wanted everything to match exactly as la Rose painted these arms--using the font which best matched la Rose's lettering, Stempel Schneidler, for the inscription on the open book and adding the two crosses pattee as well.  

In addition to the shield, I wanted to create an armorial flag and banner for Lenox School to showcase la Rose's masterful design for the school.  Based on my studies of how la Rose created armorial flags for those schools commissioning such pieces, I was able to carefully layout for Hofmann how Lenox School's arms would appear in this format.  What is the difference between an armorial flag and an armorial banner?  While there is a lot of history surrounding both, here is my simplified explanation.  

Click image to enlarge.

Armorial flags are heraldic ensigns appropriated for outdoor use and typically used by corporate bodies.  Rectangular in shape, the armorial flag often uses a ratio of 2:3; however, the flag of the corporate sole is rendered longer in length to show its importance in relation to any other flags.  

Armorial banner of arms for Lenox School, rendered by Lucas Hofmann.

In the modern era, armorial banners are usually square in shape and may include fringe around the border--which does not have to match livery colors.  Nowadays, armorial banners are typically flown indoors.  The banners displayed inside Westminster Abbey identifying Knights and Dames of the Order of the Bath, and those inside St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle for members of the Order of the Garter, are just two examples of how armorial banners are used today.  

I was thrilled with Hofmann's work, per usual, and plan to send all my digital files to the alumni association with the hopes that they will use to celebrate la Rose's design for their beloved alma mater.  That the alumni association continues to use Lenox School's arms created between 1930-1931 proves the carrying power of clear, perspicuous heraldry to provide meaningful corporate identification even in 2024.  The arms of Lenox School are nearly 93-years old today, and I hope that by digitally rendering these arms they will be preserved and cherished for many more years to come.