Antiquarian Bookplates: 55 Bookplates to Personalize Your Library

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Another author recently took this idea and turned it up a few notches. Will Maclean, author of “The Apparition Phase” created a unique and memorable publicity campaign by personalizing copies of his book in a way no one has seen before. However, if the bookplate belonged to someone of great note (a public figure, noted collector, or expert on the book’s subject), it will add somewhat to the book’s value. Bookplates signed by the author

Neha is an editor living in Dallas, TX who reads a little more than her optometrist would like. She works fulltime as a medical editor but also loves proofreading and copyediting all types of fiction on the side as well as conducting sensitivity/authenticity reads for Indian characters and Hinduism. When she's not reading or editing, she's writing her fantasy novel, bookstagramming at @bookishdesi, or collecting records. More at neha-patel.com

CHAPTER XIII

Many bookplates are known as ex-libris, or a book owner’s identification. In other words, these are bookplates that indicate the owner of the book. Many notable historical figures have also been book collectors, and as such, a book containing one of their bookplates can have great value. Other bookplates might not refer to a particularly notable person, but the ex-libris bookplate might have such a fascinating or unique design that it is of great value on its own. Augustus Wollaston Franks" Franks Bequest. Catalogue of British and American Bookplates bequeathed to the Trustees of the British Museum by Sir Augustus Wollaston Franks.

Authors find this convenient as there’s no need to visit the publisher’s offices or to sign and perhaps ship heavy books. Many bookplates are extremely valuable. Authors use collectible bookplates when signing their work and many notable people use bespoke bookplates for their personal libraries.

International Ex Libris Competition Varna - Bulgaria, containing many samples of contemporary bookplates If the book is–or might become–a collectible, it’s best not to attach a bookplate, as it defaces the book & will detract from the book’s value as it is (most often) considered a blemish. But apart from historical and collectible value, bookplates can hold personal value for your friends and family as well. Just imagine your great-grandchildren discovering your favorite book and finding your signature in the distant future. In addition to personal libraries and author’s signatures, bookplates are also a fantastic way to add dedications for students, friends and family. Where do you put a bookplate?

I have an antique religious book from 1720, which has a bookplate of Sir William Curtis (Baron), who was a well known and renowned Baron of the 18th and 19th century. Does this make the book in question more valuable?

A bookplate, sometimes called an ex libris plate, is a label that is affixed inside a book. Traditionally, bookplates were used to indicate ownership, and historians have found evidence of bookplates being used in Ancient Egypt and Europe during the Middle Ages. Prior to the advent of the printing press in the 15th-century, books were rare and extremely valuable, so it was important to mark ownership in case a book was lost or stolen–but whether or not a bookplate actually resulted in more books being returned to their owner is unknown. Curtis was also Alderman of the city, becoming Sheriff of London in 1788 and Lord Mayor in 1795–96. He was known for the lavish banquets he gave at his estate, Cullands Grove. He was created a Baronet of Cullonds Grove in 1802.[11] De Tabley, Lord, 1, 7, 48, 54, 60, 74, 75, 86, 88, 128, 131, 137, 148, 164, 168, 174, 183, 202, 203, 213, 218, 224. Johnston, Alastair. "Bookplates in a Printer's Library, Part I". Booktryst . Retrieved 3 November 2017. With a BA in Creative Writing from California State University, Long Beach, Ryan loves any chance he can get to tap into his more poetic side. Whether it’s a motivational quote on a planner cover or waxing lyrical about the near-mystical reflective properties of a new holographic label, Ryan has been a steadfast fan of Avery Products and Avery people.

Lee, Brian North (Summer 1982). "Pictorial Bookplates in Britain". The Private Library. 3. Private Libraries Association. 5 (2): 58–116. A bookplate, a book-plate, or a book plate—you might see all three ways of writing out the term. In the end, it’s a word or phrase that refers to a label of some sort that has been attached inside a book. Most frequently, you’ll find a bookplate just inside the front cover of a book, often adhered to the front endpapers. Many bookplates you’ll find are decorative, and they’re reflective of the time period in which they were created and the aesthetic preferences of the owner of the bookplate. We discussed the general timeline of bookplates and their rise in popularity. According to Mr. Jaffe, bookplates surged in popularity at the end of the 1800s and early 1900s. During this time, the middle class began to grow. Many in the new class wanted to emulate the manners of old money families. Coupled with a shift to more affordable engraving techniques, bookplates surged in popularity, not only as collector’s items but also for personal libraries. Mr. Jaffe’s sense is that it was “like a tulip craze.” This is because “Americans had lots and lots of money, and the people in the UK had been hard pressed for cash for a variety of reasons, so Americans would come over and buy the contents of a castle, such as the books. And they would start emulating the English.” He notes that he has collected many bookplates from silent era movie stars who hopped onto the trend. Although traditionally bookplates have been used in a limited number of ways, the possibilities are truly endless. There are plenty of unexpected ways to personalize books for readers, and to make your book stand out from the crowd. From the beginning of the 19th century, no special style of decoration seems to have established itself. The immense majority of examples display a plain shield of arms with motto on a scroll, and crest on a fillet. At the turn of the 20th century, however, bookplate design diversified and flourished beyond traditional armorials. [20]A lifelong Tory, he was elected as a Member of Parliament for the City of London at the 1790 general election.[5] He held the seat continuously for 28 years until his defeat at the 1818 general election.[6] He was returned to the Commons in February 1819 at a by-election for Bletchingley,[7][8] and at the 1820 general election he was returned again for the City of London.[2][6] He did not contest London again at the 1826 election,[6] when he was returned for Hastings.[9][10] He resigned that seat later the same year.[10]