author
Otto F. Ege
1888–1951
An art educator, rare-book collector, and controversial dealer in medieval manuscripts, he is remembered for the portfolios of manuscript leaves he assembled and sold to libraries and collectors. His work helped many readers encounter original manuscript pages up close, even as it fueled lasting debate about the breakup of historic books.
1 Audiobook
The Story of the Alphabet
by Otto F. Ege
About the author
Born in Reading, Pennsylvania, Otto F. Ege studied design at the Philadelphia School of Industrial Art and developed an early interest in fine printing, calligraphy, and the book arts. He later built a career in art education, spending many years at the Cleveland Institute of Art, where he served in teaching and administrative roles including dean.
Ege also became a collector and dealer in rare books and medieval manuscripts. He is best known for creating portfolios of original leaves taken from manuscript and printed volumes, presenting them as a way for students, libraries, and the public to study real examples of book history firsthand.
That practice made him one of the most debated figures in manuscript studies. Admirers saw an energetic teacher who broadened access to rare materials, while critics have remembered him as a "book-breaker" whose methods permanently dispersed important volumes. Today, his legacy remains central to conversations about preservation, collecting, and the teaching of medieval books.