The Art of the Bookplate FROM THE PUBLISHER
The world is full of people who love books. People who not only love to read, but who love to possess and collect books. Since the fifteenth century truly devoted collectors have commissioned their own bookplates, know also as ex libris.
Some are straightforwardﾽa simple label bearing the owner's name. Others are impressive works of art in miniature. Whether plain or fancy, bookplates give an owner a special sense of proud proprietorship. Even more important, they assure that if a cherished book is lent, it has a decent chance of being returned.
In this delightful book James P. Keenan, Director of the American Society of Bookplate Collectors & Designers, shares many of his favorite bookplates. He explains the history behind each, and discusses the artistsﾽsome as famous as Rockwell Kent and Claes Oldenburg, others as unknown as their patrons. But whether well known or not, ex libris owners are passionate about keeping their book collections intact. As one very old bookplate proclaims, "Steal not this book for fear of shame, For here you see the owner's name."
The Art of the Bookplate is a book to be treasured and,
of course, kept in your possession.
About the Author:
James P. Keenan has been an avid collector of bookplates for many years. Working in the graphic arts field since the late 1970s, he is the author, editor, and publisher of numerous books about ex libris. His books include American Artists of the Bookplate;: 1970-1990, co-authored with J.E. Davis,, and American Artists of the Bookplate.
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