Bookplate Collection

Collection

Identifier: MS-2015-010

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Our collection of 1,530 bookplates contains a wide variety of designs, designers, and subject matter. The collection includes designs of universities and colleges, clubs and organizations, and Gothic designs by H. Alfred Fowler.

The collection also includes a small series of publications about bookplates. Most of the publications were published by the American Society of Bookplate Collectors and Designers.

This series consists of a variety of Clubs and Organizations Bookplates.

Series I: Designer Bookplates Inclusive Dates: 1772-1936 Arrangement: Alphabetical order

This series consists of a variety of Bookplates organized by designer.

Series II: International Bookplates Inclusive Dates: 1909-1933 Arrangement: Alphabetical order

This series consists of a variety of International Bookplates organized by country.

Series III: Library Bookplates Inclusive Dates: 1888-1924 Arrangement: Alphabetical order

This series consists of a variety of Bookplates from a wide range of U.S. libraries.

Series IV: Medical Bookplates Inclusive Dates: 1881-1925 Arrangement: Alphabetical order

This series consists of a variety of Medical Bookplates.

Series V: Personalized Bookplates Inclusive Dates: 1769-1930 Arrangement: Alphabetical order

This series consists of a variety of Personalized Bookplates.

Series VI: Schools and Universities Bookplates Inclusive Dates: 1851-1934 Arrangement: Alphabetical order

This series consists of a variety of Schools and Universities Bookplates.

Series VII: Ephemera Inclusive Dates: 1917-1937 Arrangement: Alphabetical order

This series consists of Bookplate booklets and a group of miscellaneous items. The Miscellaneous items consist of a variety of correspondence, exhibition pamphlets and Newspaper clippings. Due to their small size, miscellaneous items were grouped into one category.

Series VIII: Clubs and Organizations Bookplates Inclusive Dates: 1846-1925 Arrangement: Alphabetical order

This series consists of a variety of Clubs and Organizations’ Bookplates.

Series IX: Bookplate Publications Inclusive Dates: 1912-1984 Arrangement: Alphabetical order

This series consists of publications about bookplates. The majority of these come from the American Society of Bookplate Collectors and Designers.

Dates

Creation: 1772 - 1984

Conditions Governing Use

The Bookplate Collection is the physical property of California State University, Los Angeles, John F. Kennedy Memorial Library, Special Collections and Archives.

Biographical / Historical

Bookplates, or ex libris, are labels with a printed design intended to show ownership, usually pasted inside the front cover of a book. Sizes of bookplates vary from folio to very small. They are printed on white or colored paper, vellum, or leather. Bookplates are produced by various means such as woodcut, wood engraving, line engraving, etching, lithography, and modern photographic reproduction.

The custom originated in Germany around the 15th century by Albrecht Duhrer. Many different types of bookplates exist. The early ones represented armorial types that consisted of a simple shield. In the 17th century, bookplates contained more elaboration of cartouche like shields, encircled by wreaths, festoons, and ribbons. In the 18th century, the appearance of carved work emerged surrounding the shield. Overall, countries varied in their designs. In Germany, designs tended to be purely simple, while in France they were more decorative. France was also famous for allegorical bookplates during the mid-18th century. In the late 1700’s, there was a return to a simpler, semi classical motif. Pictorial plates had also been used from comparatively early times. Toward the end of the 19th century, German designers began to include nude figures as a major motif of bookplate design. This fashion was followed in Europe and the United States as bookplates began to be adopted all over the world. In general, bookplates signify a reflection of history; emulating the influence of the eras in art, furniture, and architecture.

Extent

5.42 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Bookplates, or ex libris, are labels with a printed design intended to show ownership, usually pasted inside the front cover of a book. Sizes of bookplates vary from folio to very small. They are printed on white or colored paper, vellum, or leather. Bookplates are produced by various means such as woodcut, wood engraving, line engraving, etching, lithography, and modern photographic reproduction. The custom originated in Germany around the 15th century by Albrecht Duhrer. Many different types of bookplates exist. The early ones represented armorial types that consisted of a simple shield. In the 17th century, bookplates contained more elaboration of cartouche like shields, encircled by wreaths, festoons, and ribbons. In the 18th century, the appearance of carved work emerged surrounding the shield. Overall, countries varied in their designs. In Germany, designs tended to be purely simple, while in France they were more decorative. France was also famous for allegorical bookplates during the mid-18th century. In the late 1700’s, there was a return to a simpler, semi classical motif. Pictorial plates had also been used from comparatively early times. Toward the end of the 19th century, German designers began to include nude figures as a major motif of bookplate design. This fashion was followed in Europe and the United States as bookplates began to be adopted all over the world. In general, bookplates signify a reflection of history; emulating the influence of the eras in art, furniture, and architecture.

Arrangement

The collection is organized into nine series: I. Designer Bookplates; II. International Bookplates; III. Library Bookplates; IV. Medical Bookplates; V. Personalized Bookplates VI. Schools and Universities Bookplates; VII. Ephemera; VIII. Clubs and Organizations Bookplates; and IX. Bookplate Publications