Boston College collection of bookplates

Collection

Identifier: BC-2023-027

Staff Only

Dates

Creation: approximately 1840-1951, undated

Scope and Contents

The Boston College collection of bookplates consists of nineteenth- and twentieth-century bookplates from a variety of artists and countries. Some of the prominent artists in the collection are Alberto Lima, of Brazil, Anton Pieck, of the Netherlands, and Karl Friedrich Zahringer, of Germany. The bookplates are each inscribed with "ex libris" to show the name of the book's owner.

Restrictions on Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

These materials are made available for use in research, teaching and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source. The original authors may retain copyright to the materials.

Historical note

A bookplate is a miniature graphic art print developed to adorn books, providing a convenient, individualized way for the book’s owner to be identified. The bookplate, or ex libris, is a label affixed to the inside front cover of a book. Since the fifteenth century, distinguished artists and their patrons have given serious attention to this art form. The Boston College collection of bookplates dates from the nineteenth- and twentieth-century and includes the work of a variety of important bookplate designers of the period.

Extent

1.25 Linear Feet (3 containers)

Language of Materials

Latin

Additional Description

Abstract

The collection consists of nineteenth- and twentieth-century mounted bookplates. The plates feature finely detailed artwork, and serve as examples of period book art and typography. The artists and origins of the bookplates are from numerous countries, with the majority from the Czech Republic, Brazil, the Netherlands, and the United States.

Arrangement

Organized into two series: I. Bookplates; II. Children's bookplates. Each series is arranged alphabetically by country of origin, then alphabetically by artist's last name.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Because the current accessioning system was not used until January 1986, it is not possible to know exactly the dates of acquisition of materials received before that time.