The iconic designs of Will H. Bradley were birthed and influenced by his early years as a wood engraver. Bradley completed a six-week unpaid apprenticeship with the J. Manz firm prior to joining Rand McNally. While continuing to hone his craft in wood engraving with Rand McNally, Bradley began to cultivate the craft of pen and ink work, which, when combined with stellar wood engraving skills, started to manifest the characteristic artistic flair exhibited in bindings, typography, and covers produced during his prolific career (Bambace, 1995).