A Gallery of Bookplates.
November 6, 2002 7:32 AM   Subscribe

A Gallery of Bookplates. I always think it's a wonderful surprise when I'm antique bookshopping and I happen across some beautiful ex-libris. Many more links found via Joy Olivia on the Graphic Design blog Speak Up.
posted by Stan Chin (18 comments total)
 
OT: Hurray for Speak Up, I for one was getting sick of browsing the thousands of web design/new media sites while having nowhere to go for graphic design discussion.
posted by Stan Chin at 7:36 AM on November 6, 2002


Stan---I love ALL these links! Wow, the Hungarian bookplates are something special! Thanks.
posted by realjanetkagan at 7:59 AM on November 6, 2002


Oh, I'm a huge fan of bookplates! Benton Ferguson's Young Moderns from the first link is a hoot.
One of my very favorite spots for this is the My Home Library site for kids, with free, full-sized printable bookplates by well-known children's book illustrators (you can even use them for yourself - I won't tell, if you won't!). The plates come in small, medium and large sizes for different sized books, but the art is different, so check them all out.

Certain mefites might be especially interested in this one. You know who you are.
posted by taz at 8:44 AM on November 6, 2002


Does anyone know a place where one can order customized bookplates with a name printed on them? I've been looking around forever with no luck.
posted by themadjuggler at 8:48 AM on November 6, 2002


I can certainly appreciate bookplates, but do you really still use them? In what books? and why?
posted by dirtylittlemonkey at 8:56 AM on November 6, 2002


You chose bookplates over a post about Bling?
Just kidding.

posted by Shane at 8:58 AM on November 6, 2002


Great link, Stan! :)

Colorful Images has a nice selection of bookplates, if you're interested, TheMadJuggler!
posted by MeetMegan at 9:03 AM on November 6, 2002


I'd use bookplates if I could afford to buy hardcovers exclusively. It has been my experience that they look pretentious and/or lumpy in paperbacks.

The Rockwell Kent stuff is lovely. Once again Stan Chin rocks my socks.
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 9:04 AM on November 6, 2002


Gorgeous. This sort of thing reminds me why I love design. The bizarre Hungarian one with the scissors is somewhat disturbing.

I've used a few off-the-shelf bookplates, but they look ghastly with the name handwritten in (at least, when your handwriting looks like mine does). I would love to have some printed up.

At the archive where i work, we've got a collection of old bookplates — this link has inspired me to put them
posted by IshmaelGraves at 9:46 AM on November 6, 2002


Dammit. Put them online, that is.
posted by IshmaelGraves at 9:47 AM on November 6, 2002


These are pretty neat looking, but as someone who collects books, I still consider bookplates a defacement as serious as a library pocket, or marginalia. Thanks for the links.
posted by interrobang at 10:28 AM on November 6, 2002


I love bookplates and marginalia. Several times I've bought used books not for the books themselves, but because of a doodle on a page or because of a little sentiment that the giver has pencilled to a loved one. I especially like the dated comments. Of course, I'm not a collector of books for their value as is interrobang.

There are a few original bookplates in pdf format on my site, although they're pixelly/cute/iconish looking, no grand flourishes and classic elements like these gorgeous plates. I do a new little batch every few months for my niece.
posted by iconomy at 11:02 AM on November 6, 2002


iconomy: I'm not really a collector of books for their value. I just collect books by a few authors, and books of a certain type. I just like books to look nice and new.
posted by interrobang at 11:10 AM on November 6, 2002


I love bookplates and marginalia. Several times I've bought used books not for the books themselves, but because of a doodle on a page or because of a little sentiment that the giver has pencilled to a loved one

Iconomy, One of the best things in my library is a used paperback of Madame Bovary with every reference to footwear highlighted. I've often wondered just how dull the resulting paper must have been, but my mind could not encompass it.
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 11:18 AM on November 6, 2002


Actually, I've been wondering about a place that would print completely custom bookplates (from hardcopy artwork or a computer file). Archivally sound materials would be nice, but once you put glue on it I don't know if it matters whether it's acid free. Anyone know of a printer who custom makes these for individuals?
posted by Songdog at 1:25 PM on November 6, 2002


Very cool post Stan Chin... lots of great graphic art stuff - I love good design that has to be compact and confined by small space to work, like logos or these plates. Bookplates may just be my new solution to cool yet cheap holiday gifting since I am in the throes of gentile poverty at the moment!
Also, that Speak Up is a great bonus link in its own right - love the way the menu builds. Found a cool type site called Astygmatic One Eye posted there too.
Thanks Stan, you always post fun, cool stuff!
posted by madamjujujive at 6:03 PM on November 6, 2002


I've often wondered just how dull the resulting paper must have been, but my mind could not encompass it.

PinkStainlessTail, I've been grinning about your comment all day. I'm thinking more along the lines of foot fetish than term paper, myself.
posted by iconomy at 6:10 PM on November 6, 2002


Great post Stan!
posted by hama7 at 2:43 AM on November 7, 2002


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