Franklin Bi-Centenary Number, January 20, 1923
The pattern
This still is filed under Lettered cover hook.
Define
The cover is the hook, and the hook is lettering: a title treated as an image.
Mechanism
Type as bait. The words are drawn so they stop the hand before the contents are known.
Verdict
A journal, book, or issue must sell itself on a rack or a feed
Why it works
The centered, monumental typography and use of heraldry communicate deep respect for history and tradition, perfectly fitting a commemorative issue.
Steal this when
You are designing a commemorative or historical piece that needs to project authority and tradition.