Collecting ex libris book plates

Vassar college library, ex libris with reproduction of wood engraving of library by ruzicka. Originally a mark of prestige and status in society, book plates emerged in the fifteenth century and usually bore the owners family coat of arms. At first, most bookplates were designed to safeguard the chattel of barons and nobles. Elizabeth robins pennell collection library of congress. Today, if there are even 200 bookplate collectors in the united states i would be very surprised. Personal and institutional bookplates from america, australia, canada, england, and germany. To give you a taste of the rich variety of designs, weve highlighted bookplates from famous and notable men from history. See more ideas about ex libris, book art and prints. Microscopical bookplates ex libris the mccrone group. The first bookplate collectors society in the united states was founded in washington, d. From a collection of book plate designs, by louis rhead, boston, exlibris of maxim gorky sources. Apr 26, 2011 a bookplate, or ex libris, is a small print for pasting inside the cover of a book, to express ownership. For any additional information you can contact us using our contactform. The first real impetus was given by the appearance of a guide to.

Now everyone has more creative time to design a superb ex libris for the tribute to george steiner 19292020. Apr 28, 2014 bookplate collecting is a surprisingly robust hobby filled with passionate enthusiasts. The earliest known example, dated to 1480, is the bookplate of hilprand brandenburg, a carthusian monk. Journal on a budget, video 25, diy book plates, tutorial. The exlibris, or bookplate, emerged along with printing in germany in the late 15th century exlibris can take a number of forms. Collection of bookplates donated by the brooklyn museum bkp 33 particularly in the late 19th and early 20th century, the exchange value of bookplates began to supplement and even supersede their use value. See more ideas about ex libris, book art and illustration. Printed on high quality, acidfree, selfadhesive paper. Two excellent reference books about dated bookplates are. Escher, rockwell kent, leonard baskin, barry moser, and others.

It seems that at some point, marcia noyes had advertised in the maryland medical journal that she was collecting bookplates, and many people responded. Bookplates and ex libris are rightly admired today as miniature works of art allowing collectors to build an affordable collection of original and often signed art works in a variety of print techniques such as etching, woodblock, intaglio and aquatint. The librarys bookplate collection contains over 1,300 bookplates and includes a wide variety of graphic and illustrative styles, both color and. Bookplates bear a motif relating to the books owner, such as a device coatof. A strange choice of words perhaps, but that is my gut feeling. Our purpose is to encourage the production, use, collecting, and study of bookplates. Ex libris book plates commencing march 30th 1925, pictures collection, politzer provenance file, state library of victoria. Bookplates can be personalized with the text and font of your choice. A bookplate or book plate, as it was commonly styled until the early 20th century, also known as exlibris latin for from the books or library, is a printed or decorative label pasted into a book, often on the front endpaper, to indicate ownership. The ex libris collection consists of nineteenth and twentiethcentury bookplates from private and institutional libraries. Letterpress cat ex libris bookplates acid free made in the usa. Bookplate mania in america and england peaked from 1890 to about 1920.

From earliest times, people have indicated their ownership of texts with a variety of marks. This work, highly interesting from many points of view, established what. Originating in their modern printed form in 16thcentury germany, where books were highly valuable and treasured, bookplates became an art form practiced by artists across europe and beyond. Ruthven deane bookplate collection, library of congress, prints and photographs division. Anything written by brian north lee is carefully and lovingly researched. Dated bookplates ex libris with a treatise on their origin and development by walter hamilton. A bookplate junkie on the basics of collecting ex libris collectors.

Finding aid processed by archives and special collections library, vassar college libraries. Whatever your own specialization, this website is a place to share our love of ex libris through images and historical articles. Bookplates, almost as old as or printed exlibris, books. A collection of masonic bookplates or exlibris by brother. Exlibris bookplate collection special collections images. Ex libris bookplate stickers self adhesive book plate label gift for bibliophiles set of 20. Bookplate collecting is a surprisingly robust hobby filled with passionate enthusiasts. Three volumes, with volume two covering the eighteenth century. The bookplates of 31 famous men the art of manliness. Benoit junods advice to a beginner collector and at the same site is the fisae list of symbols for techniques used in printed exlibris.

A corrected and slightly enlarged version of the original 1880 publication. A brief history of personalized bookplates literary hub. Reasonably priced, starting at quantities of 50 for custom bookplates. Unite your personal library with a set of quality, custom made bookplates. Exlibris or the mark of possession of books, by benoit junod. Is it important that a bookplate is signed by the artist. The earliest german bookplates are woodcuts, most of which are. Bookplates, also known by the term ex libris, evolved over centuries from simple inscriptions to printed woodcuts to an artistic medium that has attracted worldclass artists and illustrators. Bookplates or exlibris the insect collectors forum. Oct 02, 2018 for more book collecting 101 information. By the late 19th century, bookplates had developed into a highly imaginative form of.

A bookplate or exlibris, is a printed engraved label that you paste in the inside front cover of your books to indicate that they are yours. The collection comprises both armorial and pictorial designs by such noted designers as carl oscar borg, edwin d. Acquisition information bookplate collection acquired through gifts of adelaide underhill, charles gordon post and harry j. The plates feature finely detailed engraving and etching, and serve as outstanding examples of period book art and typography. Featured on oprahs o list, these archival, personalized bookplates boast a bevy of wonderful watercolor illustrations for men, women, and children. The fabulous woodcut design bookplate above was found in a 1935 edition of the plays of anton chekhov. Other ex libris collectors look at book ownership rather than the artist who created the bookplate for example, an ex libris from the personal books of charlie chaplin, sir arthur conan doyle or charles dickens. A bookplate or ex libris, is a printed engraved label that you paste in the inside front cover of your books to indicate that they are yours. Bookplates have been designed by artists and engravers such as albrecht durer, thomas bewick, paul revere, kate greenaway, aubrey beardsley, marc chagall, m. Our artshop has a vast catalogue of exlibris bookplates, all ordered by artist. Somehow, knowing precisely when a bookplate was engraved is very orderly and comforting.

In the past time, they used to represent arms, crowns, symbols, etc. In the early 1500s, albrecht durer and other german engravers and printmakers began to create highly decorative bookplates, often featuring armorial devices and coats of arms for wealthy. The ex libris, or bookplate, emerged along with printing in germany in the late 15th century. A106 bookplate with open book, candles and ex libris wording. Walter hamilton in his book french bookplates, dates the first french ex libris to 1574, which reads, ex bibliotheca caroli albosii e. Represented in the collection are prominent american bookplate artists such as william fowler hopson and joseph winfred spenceley, as well as. Endlessly diverse and appealing, bookplates also called ex libris, latin for from. Dated book plates ex libris with a treatise on their origin and development by walter hamilton. Bookplates, also known by the term exlibris, evolved over centuries from simple inscriptions to printed woodcuts to an artistic medium that has attracted worldclass artists and illustrators. Many artists, some famous such as william hogarth, aubrey beardsley and john piper, have designed bookplates, and many significant people e.

Jun 21, 2011 this book traces the fascinating evolution of bookplate design over time and across national boundaries, showcasing 100 key examples of ex libris art. The bookplate, or ex libris, is a label affixed to the inside front cover of a book. Ex libris art dedicated to the collection of ex libris and. Simple typographical bookplates are termed book labels. So in 2012 we celebrated the societys 40th anniversary. The bookplate collection, part i recently, as i was searching the archives, i came across a box of bookplates which had been collected during the early 1900s. Ex libris rediscovering bookplates the heritage portal. Samuel pepys and rudyard kipling have used them, but a personal bookplate has been available to anyone owning a library and wishing to place in. It is a miniature graphic art print developed to adorn books providing a convenient, individualized way for the book s owner to be identified. We strive to update our catalogue with new pieces several times a month. George steiner was born in paris, france on april 23rd, 1929. This is the same year as the first english bookplate, that of sir nicholas bacon father of francis bacon. She seems to have been collecting bookplates as early as 1917, and the collection contains her notes about bookplate collections and sources, as well as a few notes from correspondents sending along their bookplates for her collection.

Bookplates, sometimes called ex libris, have a long and interesting history. Info select options a108 cat and owner by fireplace bookplate design. A bookplate, or ex libris, is a small print for pasting inside the cover of a book, to express ownership. Info select options a107 ex libris bookplate with child in flight on bird. Bookplates, also known as ex libris, have since the 15th century been placed in books to declare ownership. Massachusetts historical society bookplate collection. An illustrated handbook for collectors and book lovers see other formats. The study of and the taste for collecting bookplates hardly date farther back than the year 1860.

About 85 jewish bookplates ex libris and eleven books and booklets about bookplates. What is the meaning of c3, c5, x2 and so on in the description of a bookplate. Bookplate ink antioch bookplates ex libris for home. Initially a tool to identify the owner of a book and to prevent theft or ensure safe return of valuable property, bookplates evolved from mere identification into tiny works of art and. A bookplate represents pride in the ownership of books. Antique book plates known more generally as book plates, ex libris are prints, drawings or watercolors designed by artists to be inserted into the front of books to display ownership. We hope that, viewing the often beautiful art pieces, you can make a choice. Bookplates, also known as exlibris, have since the 15th century been placed in books to declare ownership. Nonpersonalized bookplates in packets of 20 and larger quantities.

A number of societies for bookplate collectors were established near the close of the nineteenth century. Consequently, you can find thousands of bookplate examples online. The ex libris plate pictured at top of page was customprinted. See more ideas about ex libris, book art and painting edges. Palestine and europe, late 19th till mid20th century. A bookplate junkie on the basics of collecting ex libris. As long as readers take pride in their libraries, the impulse to personalize their contents will prevail. Adhesives used on bookplates are often not acidfree and can damage the page to which its attached, as well as facing pages, subtracting even more.

Endlessly diverse and appealing, bookplates also called ex libris, latin for from the books of are small decorative labels to be pasted inside a books cover to express personal ownership. An illustrated handbook for collectors and booklovers see other formats. Collection of personal and institutional bookplates, primarily american and british, compiled by ruby v. We print bookplates with custom artwork for a unique look. A bookplate is sometimes called an ex libris in reference to the latin inscription meaning from the books of found on most examples. The art of bookplates in pictures books the guardian.