Ex libris, or bookplates, are placards inscribed with the name of a tome’s owner and affixed to the inside of its cover. Ex libris establish some amount of provenance — a clue into the history of a book’s possession. The art decorating bookplates is often heraldic, fantastic, ornate, and gorgeous. This collection is comprised mostly of plates created in Europe during the 17th & 18th centuries.

“From the books of…”

Theology & Science meet. By Louis Rhead, ca. 1907

Ex libris Moritz Carl Christian Woog. È Bibliotheca Woogiana. ca. 1740

Exlibris of the Załuski Library showing the library’s interior. Jan Józef Filipowicz. mid-18th century.

Exlibris des kath. Theologen Martin Eisengrein (1535-1578), Dekan u. Rektor der Universität Ingolstadt, Propst von Moosburg, 1570

From Armorial Ex-libris of David Samuel von Madai.

“Ex libris Bibliothecae D. Zach. Conr. ab Uffenbach. M. F.” Bookplate of Zacharias Konrad von Uffenbach (1683-1734) Engraved by Johann Ulrich Krauss of Augsburg c.1705

Georges A. Wild. 1927

Ex libris “Bibliothecae Aulicae Brixinensis” (Fürstbischöfliche Hofbibliothek Brixen), 102 x 73 mm, Kupferstich, ca. 1580.

Bookplate of Ruskin House, a division of the publisher George Allen & Sons, 156 Charing Cross Road, Saint George slaying the dragon, with large monogram “GA.” Signed in lower right with unidentified monogram.

Bookplate for Anne Seymour Damer by Agnes Berry, ca. 1800

Daniel Chodowiecki: Ex Libris für seine eigene Bibliothek. Kupferstich. ca. 1760

Exlibris: Wappen der Martinic (Martinitz), mit zwei Greifen als Schildhaltern und manieristischer Dekoration. Knapp beschnitten, oben mit Bildverlust. Inschrift “Omnia Cordis habet. Effulget titulis Heros…” Johann Christof Schmischeck fecit. ca. 1650

Ex libris mit Wappen des Christoff Hos, beider Rechten Doktor, kaiserliche Procura und Kammergerichtsrat, 1528