Bookplates

Definition

This is an example of a traditional bookplate originating from Benjamin Case, Hobart Berrian, and Henry Bogert, Emma Toedteberg collection, ARC.079, Box 10, Brooklyn Public Library, Center for Brooklyn History.

Merriam-Webster defines this term as a book owner's identification label that is usually pasted to the inside front cover of a book. Usually, these labels are decorative and are used to trace the book back to its owner. Oftentimes, they are custom-designed or purchased to reflect the aesthetic of the owner.

Origin

The bookplate, or ex libris, is a label commonly pasted onto the inside front cover of a book. Ex libris is Latin that translates as “from the books of” or “from the library of.”

They were seen as early as 1391 BCE, owned by Amenophis III, ruler of Egypt at the time. Scrolls were the pinnacle of literature, and owners took pride in those they kept.

The practice became popular in 15th-century Europe, particularly in Germany and England, during the Renaissance as the first printed bookplates appeared. They were used to indicate ownership of books, often featuring the owner's name or coat of arms.

Modern bookplate design is a delightful mix of tradition and innovation. Today, they continue to be used by bibliophiles and collectors to personalize their libraries.

Examples and Elements

Bookplates served both practical and artistic purposes, reflecting personal identity. Artists and engravers created intricate designs for bookplates, making them collectible items.

One of the first examples is this small hand-colored woodcut print depicting an angel holding a shield, which appears in books from the library of scholar and priest Hilprand Brandenburg (1442-1514).

Many noteworthy book lovers have given serious attention to bookplate design. Some include: Queen Victoria, King Adolf Fredrik of Sweden, George Washington, Charles Dickens, J. P. Morgan, Henry Ford, Jack London, Sigmund Freud, Albert Einstein, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Charles De Gaulle, Queen Elizabeth, John F. Kennedy, Harpo Marx, James Cagney, Walt Disney, and others too numerous to mention.

Conclusion

Bookplates, or ex libris, remain a fascinating intersection of art, literature, and personal identity. From their origins as practical markers of ownership to their evolution into collectible works of design, they reflect both cultural trends and individual tastes across centuries. While digital cataloging has largely replaced their functional role, bookplates continue to be appreciated as miniature artworks and historical artifacts, preserving the legacy of readers and collectors who sought to leave a personal imprint on their libraries