What is a bookplate and why would I want one?
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What is a bookplate and why would I buy one?
It's actually just a simple piece of paper with a design on it used to signify who owns a book. These days they usually come with a self-adhesive backing.
That's the short description. People also want to know why they'd want to stick a label inside a book. Sometimes they want to know what bookplate to buy for someone.
There is a little more explanation about what a bookplate is - what they are for, why people use them, how to select a bookplate, to personalize or not and what to do with a bookplate if you get one - so that's what I'm hoping to do here!
You can offer me some feedback, too!
First, let's find out...what Kind of a Bookplate Person are You?
pick one or more.. or add one I haven't thought of!
Before going into the history of bookplates (which some might find fascinating, but which might make others yawn), here's a bit of my own observation and analysis about Bookplate People.
Bookplate People find Books to be a Thing of Beauty.
They enjoy books - reading books and owning books for sure.
Some Bookplate People also enjoy sharing books and giving books. I'm not convinced all do....
Bookplate Artist
Designs bookplate art - enjoys looking at art used more...5 points
Bookplate Connoisseur
Like the Bookplate Authority, has an extensive knowledge more...1 point
Bookplate Ordinaire
Loves books and has knowlege of bookplates. May have more...1 point
Bookplate Authority
Is a practical person, not particularly tied emotionally more...0 points
Bookplate Novice
New to bookplates or uses bookplates only occasionally more...0 points
Bookplate Virgin
Has no idea what a bookplate is. Might not know what more...0 points
Bookplate Addict..
10 Reasons to Give a Bookplate.
I'm sure there are more!
- Bookplates encourage reading - children love stickers with their names on them - give a bookplate along with a new book!
- Bookplates are an inexpensive gift
- Bookplates are thoughtful gifts, especially if you select well
- Bookplates will last for a long time - everytime someone sees the bookplate, they'll remember you!
- Bookplates can be very personal - if you have them personalized
- Bookplates remind borrowers to return books - so you're helping someone loan books, and helping them get them back!
- Bookplates identify ownership - so you may be helping roommates avoid arguments or pack up with ease.
- Bookplates identify ownership - so you may be helping a new couple with new names identify ownership of new books they buy together!
- Bookplates leave memories - donate a book to a library, a book in honor of a teacher, a book in memory of a loved one -- leave memories!
- Bookplates make a nice thank you - give a bookplate as a thank you for something nice someone has done - better yet, put it inside a book and give it to the person.
When bookplates began...
a very short history of bookplates
A bookplate would often have the words "Ex Libris" printed on them, along with the owner's name. "Ex Libris" is Latin literally for, "From books..." or roughly translated now - "from the library of.."
ex libris me - from my library by friendlyspirit
After the invention of the moveable type printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in the early 15th century, books were more available to the limited number of people who could read. Books were still valuable - mass productions were not available and books were a valuable part of an estate.
Special crests were sometimes woodburned or otherwise placed in the book to declare family or church ownership. Eventually bookplates became available. Churches, businesses and individuals might have their own bookplates designed and placed inside the books.
Bookplates have been used in many ways -- not merely to identify the owner's name, they've been used as an expression of his or her personality and beliefs. Before mass production of bookplates, they would be individually designed. A design might include the family crest, or a minature piece of art that reflected the personal wealth or standing of the owner.
Even today, there are societies and groups designed to further the Art of the Bookplate, and many collections are centered on the artist's work.
Bookplates today are used for many reasons. Some are given as gifts, to encourage readership in babies and young children. They are given as rewards to children who are becoming readers. Authors like to use bookplates at booksignings. People who donate a loved one's book collection or give books in a loved one's name often use bookplates In Memory Of.... College students use them to avoid the confusion of books in dorm or apartment living with other students who may have the same books. People with large book collections, and those who lend out books, like to have their names in the books for easy return.
Bookplates as Art
A Gallery of Bookplates
Where does a bookplate go?
Affixing Bookplates
Inside the front cover of a book
AFFIXING YOUR BOOKPLATES TO YOUR BOOKS
This information is for self-stick bookplates or gummed bookplates - bookplates that are to be affixed with glue will come with special instructions from their manufacturer.
Most of the bookplates I sell have a self-adhesive backing. Some of the children's designs* are gummed.
1. Bookplates should be affixed inside the front cover of your book. If you put it on a page, it can be torn out. Covers - especially for hardcover books - usually aren't removed from books.
2. Usually it's easy to find the peel off line on the back. Although there is usually no printed help, you may be able to see the horizontal or vertical line that shows where you can peel open the backing.
This isn't always true, and if you are having trouble try:
a. Gently folding the bookplate horizontally - rolling it closed with the design inside can help you see the opening, especially if you hold it up to a light. Once you get the backing peeled off and the bookplate affixed, it should appear as if it were never folded! If horizontally doesn't work, try vertically
b. Using your fingernails to find and peel open from one of the 4 corners of the bookplate.
c. If all else fails, you can send your bookplates back and we will either find the beginning spot or replace the bookplates returned at no charge (even if it is just one).
3. When affixing custom bookplates, use caution. The ink used for the lettering can smudge if rubbed too hard. It will run if it gets wet.
4. For the pressure sensitive labels, peel off part of the backing (don't pull off all at once). Attach that portion to the space on the book. Rub it in on the parts without your name, then peel off the second part.
5. For gummed labels, be especially careful not to get the front of the bookplate wet. It is best for adults to help children (they tend to rub stickers in hard!)
Do not apply a lot of water. We suggest you wet a sponge, wring it out, place the sponge wet side up on a little plate. Gently move the back of the bookplate over the sponge, dabbing it 'til it is slightly wet. Apply to book
6. For both, to firmly affix your bookplate to the book, take a blank piece of paper (for the self stick, we use the handy backing label we just peeled off of our label). Place it over the bookplate, gently pat it down. You can rub gently on the cover paper without smudging the lettering.
When you're buying bookplates for someone else
..giving bookplates as gifts to someone else
If you know what kind of interests the person has, try picking something that would match their book collections (they might have several)..
Collectors of a certain kind of books often like having bookplates that match the theme of the books they are collecting - for example, Star Trek fans will enjoy having Star Trek bookplates. Cookbook collectors will appreciate a bookplate with a cooking theme. Nature lovers would appreciate bookplates with birds, .. and so on.
and when in doubt about choosing a bookplate
pick a plain or classic design
These aren't really "plain" in a negative way -- there's a lot of nice things about them.
They are siimple, clean, classic -- if you get them without personalization on them, the person selecting them can write whatever they want -- an open canvas!
This is why, in my own shop, I have bookplates arranged by categories -- Classic , Kids , Men's , Women's , Inspirational..
On Children and Bookplates
....some advice....
They are usually looking for it as a gift for their own children or grandchildren, which is not a surprise.
The surprise is that the bookplate usually is not a childish looking design. It's usually something black and white, but mature -- a cat on a stack of books. A child silhouetted reading under a tree. An owl in a tree.
Not child like at all. If the design isn't out of print and I have it, it's usually one that is still a top seller, that adults are buying for themselves or as gifts for other adults.
What does this tell us?
Bookplates are classic - and children who receive them as children often grow up to be readers. I advise people who are buying bookplates for a child's library or for a quality hardcover book to:
1. Choose the bookplate as if the child were older - this encourages a mature attitude about books. A classic design will follow them into maturity.
2. Either have it personalized, or write or type the child's name in it yourself
3. Use an mature font - Calligrapher or Lydian that will follow the child into adulthood
4. Place the bookplate a book before giving it to the child if the child is under six or seven.
If you are selecting a bookplate for a younger child - they will consider a bookplate a sticker - they love stickers. You might want to buy some inexpensive stickers for the child, but put the bookplates in books for the child.
Cute bookplates of licensed characters should be selected with care. By the time the child is older, the cuteness or the licensed character may be a turn off to them.
These have their place - they are great little incentives for a child, they'll be well accepted.
But if you are building a library for a child of classic books or adding to their library, consider classic bookplates, too, with a more adult look to the child's name.
To Personalize a Bookplate or Not
Here's a bookplate not personalized
and the same bookplate shown with different fonts.....
Bookplates when bought as a gift can be personalized or not.
I sell mine in sets of 12 for 3.99 - for another 7.00 you can have them personalized.
What do you think - Would you personalize your bookplates or not? If yes, why - if not, why not?
Would you personalize that gift?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes - even if costs more, it adds a nice touch
No - they can personalize it themselves
For the Bookplate Ordinaire, Novice or Virgin, Here are My Sticker Bookplates
just some of mine!
These show only 9 of the over 20 designs I have, with self-stick backs (so you just peel and stick 'em) They come on sheets. Each sheet has either 3" round (6 on a sheet) or 1 1/2" round (20 on a sheet)
Great little gifts to give to children (see my advice on buying serious bookplates for children though!), new baby gifts, or little stocking stuffer gifts.. and you can personalize them for no extra cost!
For more serious bookplates, check out my on-line store, A Friendly Spirit , where I sell Antioch bookplates (until I run out of stock!) and my own line of bookplates..
Really cute and inexpensive....
A comment on bookplates? Advices or feedback always appreciated!
please go ahead and let me know what you think
I'm always looking for feedback and help about bookplates so please, tel me!
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KarateKatGraphics
Mar 12, 2010 @ 2:53 pm | delete
- I'm new to the bookplace biz but am a bit obsessed with them at the moment! 5* and featuring this lens at squidoo.com/best-bookplates
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alinaspencil
Jan 6, 2010 @ 5:39 am | delete
- This was very interesting. I've seen bookplates in books before but never have given them much thought. Now, as a shopkeeper and designer, you have renewed my interest!
Alina
Alina's Pencil: whimsical words and pictures
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Steve Friedl
Dec 14, 2009 @ 4:49 pm | delete
- When giving autographed books as gifts, some authors prefer not to deal with packing and shipping the book(s), but are happy to sign and USMail autographed bookplates - this seems to have the same effect on the recipient (an autographed book!), with far less fuss. Popular authors should always have a stock of bookplates around for this purpose.
Thank you for a useful article.
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DAnnieB
Dec 16, 2009 @ 7:43 pm | delete
- Indeed, Steve! I have had may authors as repeat customers for this very purpose - I even designed an autograph edition bookplate!
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sandyspider
Jul 28, 2009 @ 10:41 pm | delete
- Very interesting. I never knew what a bookplate was.
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by DAnnieB
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