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Monday, September 8, 2008

Bookplates

Whenever I'm in a bookstore, I have to
go check out the bookplates! There
are so many types and styles.
I especially like the vintage ones.
A bookplate, also known as ex-librīs
(Latin for 'from the books of'), is usually a small print
or decorative label pasted into a book,
often on the inside front cover, to indicate its owner.
The earliest known examples of printed
book-plates are German, and date from the 15th century. Societies of collectors were founded, first in England in 1891, then in Germany and France, and later in the United States The first treatise on bookplates was Warren's famous Guide. In 1901-1903 the British Museum published the bookplate catalog of the Franks Collection, augmented with the notes and additions of J. Sidney Pearson. Bookplates, of which there are probably more than a million extant examples, have become objects of collection. One of the first known English collectors was a Miss Jenkins of Bath, who was active in the field during the early 19th century. Her bookplates were later incorporated into the collection of Joseph Jackson Howard. Since the 1950s, there has been a renewed interest in the collection of bookplates and in many ways a reorientation of this interest. There are still substantial numbers of collectors for whom the study of bookplates spanning 500 years is a fascinating source of historical, artistic and socio-cultural interest.
More than 30 'national' societies of ex-libris collectors exist, grouped into an International Federation of Ex-libris Societies (FISAE) which organizes world-wide congresses every two years.
~~~~ ~~info from wiki & google~~~~~~ Do you use bookplates in your favorite books? Or are any of you
serious collectors?

21 comments:

  1. Aren't bookplates such a pretty piece of art? You always seem to have the most interesting posts. I hope you are doing great and the boys are getting ready for a wonderful autumn.

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  2. I didn't even know what a bookplate was! How cool! I'm so glad you wrote about this!

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  3. Marie ~ oh they are so neat! They are like little pieces of art for your books. The possibilities are endless and can express who you are...really fun!

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  4. The next best thing to find in a vintage book, besides a lovely inscription, is a beautiful bookplate!

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  5. Betsy...when Emma was born (9+ yrs ago) you gave her the most beautiful book plates...I have only used them in SPECIAL "keep forever" books...they are such a beautiful addition to any library! What a wonderful gift!

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  6. Jill ~ I remember those bookplates! Oh...that's sweet! I've only used them in my boys' special books, too.

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  7. What a wonderful topic! If you don't mind, I'd like to link here from the Tea Society later...I love bookplates and need to start a collection of them for sure...Thanks Betsy!

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  8. Rebecca ~ what a great idea! I'm sure there are some beautiful bookplates with a tea theme!

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  9. You may also enjoy looking at my bookplate blog
    Http://bookplatejunkie.blogspot.com

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  10. Welome Lew...just went over to check out your bookplate blog...really, really neat!

    Hey everyone...if you want to check out more bookplates...go to Lew's blog!

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  11. I love bookplates, they're like stamps... little pieces of art. I have some that I use in my "nice" volumes, but I'm not a collector. Are you?

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  12. Hey Betsy, Thanks for dropping by my site! I was wondering about your comment "About your last post, there is a danger in equating the amount of time "spent with God" and spiritual maturity." I wasn't sure of the point you were making, and I really am interested in your thoughts. I might not have communicated it very well, but my objective was to illustrate that your relationship isn't about alloting time to God. It was more about "in Him we live, and move and have our being." It is 24/7 God in our normal life, not a check list of righteous acts! Anyway, thanks for coming by.

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  13. These vintage bookplates are beautiful, thanks for posting about them I shall be on the look out for some to add to my library!
    ~Kalianne

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  14. MG ~ No, I'm like you...I only use bookplates for 'keepers' that I have. I'm not a serious collector but I can see how it would be fun to be one!

    Strider ~ I think we were trying to say the same thing. I think there is a danger in thinking that since someone spends a certain amount of minutes reading the scriptures daily that this makes them spiritually mature. ...or so many minutes in prayer...or so many hours at church. It does not. I have known people who do all those things...prayer, reading and attendance...and yet don't bear any fruit of the spirit, or are just hateful people. It's a 24/7 relationship, just like you say!

    Kalianne ~ thanks for the visit! I think I'll pop over to your blog and say hello, too!

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  15. That's fascinating. Books have been an integral part of my life, all my life!

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  16. David ~ you would need some interesting photo on your bookplates and a quick witted saying, too! :)

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  17. here from david's.

    to be honest i hadn't thought about them for a long time but this post brought back memories of my dad putting his own bookplates into newly acquired volumes for his personal library. as a child i thought they lent such an air of importance.

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  18. Lime ~ Hi and welcome! I agree, ...it raises the level of importancee when you put a bookplate inside a book!

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  19. I had heard of them but never really thought about using them until now. Hmmm....Now I may! THanks for an enjoyable lunch! :)

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  20. i love bookplates!! in fact, up until april of this year i worked at antioch publishing in yellow springs, a major creator and printer of bookplates. the boy reading a book under the tree silhouette design is one of antioch's designs and i worked in the creative dept. there when that design was created, etc. i have a large collection of bookplates and it is wonderful to find/know another fan!

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  21. Julie ~ I know right where Antioch Publishing is...I drive right by it on my way to Sams Club in Beavercreek! Yellow Springs is very close to me! :)

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