Antiquarian Bookplates: 55 Bookplates to Personalize Your Library

Product Information

A box of 36 Book Plates, 3 each of 12 individual designs, with flower frames illustrated from our original watercolour botanical paintings. The main characteristics of the style which prevailed during the Queen Anne and early Georgian periods are: ornamental frames suggestive of carved oak; a frequent use of fish-scales; trellis or diapered patterns, for the decoration of plain surfaces; and, in the armorial display, a marked reduction in the importance of the mantling. The immense majority of examples display a plain shield of arms with motto on a scroll, and crest on a fillet. The engraved copper matrix is then printed with an intaglio press on paper, and the resulting print can be pasted into the book to indicate ownership. always be accurate, especially as regards dating of bookplates, their condition and the attribution of ownership.

In 2010 John Blatchly asked whether the hand-painted armorial device attached to a folio of the first volume of Quatuor concilium generalium belonging to Cardinal Wolsey should be regarded as the first English bookplate. Book Plates are to go inside books but of course can also be used as labels and in other creative ways. Personalise treasured books, journals, folders and diaries with these vintage style self-adhesive bookplates.Bookplates often bear a motif relating to the book's owner, such as a coat-of-arms, crest, badge, motto, or a design commissioned from an artist or designer.

Many notable historical figures have also been book collectors, and as such, a book containing one of their bookplates can have great value. The earliest known marks of ownership of books or documents date from the reign of Amenophis III in Egypt (1391−1353 BCE).

Keep in mind that anyone can view public collections - they may also appear in recommendations and other places. Until the 19th century, the devising of bookplates was generally left to the routine skill of the heraldic-stationery salesman. Straight or concentric lines and all appearances of flat surface are avoided; the helmet and its symmetrical mantling tends to disappear, and is replaced by the plain crest on a fillet. Book plates will also often be in the front of the book, and serve as a way of indicating ownership.

Book collectors would exchange their own bookplates, and they’d seek out the bookplates of authors, cinema stars, or other famous people whose bookplates might be of value. If you've been creative with your purchases please share with us on Facebook, or tag us in your Instagram post. Whether you simply want to learn more about bookplates or you’re thinking about starting a collection, exploring the history of these ephemeral objects and their uses is a worthy pastime. Some of the work they produce challenges comparison with the finest productions of bygone engravers.By the Victorian era (1837-1901) and the Edwardian era (1901-1910), bookplates had become particularly decorative and elaborate. With gold foil details these letter book plates will add a fantastic personal touch to any home library. Yes, that’s right: bookplates were used, in limited form, even prior to the advent of the printing press.

And the tenth Children's Laureate, Lauren Child, has drawn us a lovely new bookplate to mark the occasion!You might be wondering precisely what a bookplate is, whether it is a newer addition to the book, and how it affects the value.