Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
View entire collection guide
Search this collection
Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections and Archives
Title: Bookplate Collection
Identifier/Call Number: MS.2015.010
Physical Description:
5.42 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1772-1984
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.
Language of Material:
English
.
The Bookplate Collection is the physical property of California State
University, Los Angeles, John F. Kennedy Memorial Library, Special Collections
and Archives.
Folder title, Series, Box number, Collection tile, followed by
Special Collections and Archives, John F. Kennedy Memorial Library, California
State University, Los Angeles
The collection is organized into eight 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
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.
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.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Bookplates