HUNDRED
OK PLATES
1
i^
•A
ONE HUNDRED BOOK PLATES
ONE HUNDRED
BOOK PLATES
ENGRAVED ON WOOD
BY THOMAS MORING
LONDON
ALEXANDER MORING LTD.
THE DE LA MORE PRESS
32 GEORGE STREET, HANOVER SQUARE, W
UBRMn
SCHOOl
CONTENTS
Introduction on the Art of Engraving Book Plates
on Wood ------- Page i
List of Plates with Descriptive Notes _ _ _ ,j xi
Examples of Book Plates Engraved on Wood and
Printed Direct from the Blocks - - Plates i-ioo
322103
INTRODUCTION
THE great interest now taken in Book Plates has pro-
duced a taste for good work in the way of designing
and engraving, and has caused a revulsion against the poor,
stilted, and meaningless heraldry which has done duty for the
marks of ownership affixed by collectors in modern times to
even the priceless gems of the bibliophile.
There has been a tendency on the part of modern
collectors to look with scorn on the obtrusiveness of the
elaborate and personal Book Plate, and this to a certain extent
may be pardoned, as it shows that their great love and
appreciation for the inside or contents of the book is so
ii. INTRODUCTION
jealously guarded that anything which would detract from the
main feature is looked upon with feelings of alarm. Although
this is quite reasonable, it should be borne in mind that
the same argument applies to the taste for elaborate and
distinctly appropriate bindings which is so prevalent at the
present day. We find also that the early book collectors —
who are not to be despised as models — did not by any means
look upon the "garnishing" of their choice books, with
either fine bindings or quaint and artistic Book Plates, as of
too little importance to deserve their careful thought and
attention.
Dealing more particularly with tke class of design for
which the wood-block is most suitable and to which we have
entirely devoted this volume, it is noticeable that the
Germans not only were the first to adopt elaborate designs, both
in this style and in the more finished style of the copper plate,
but that the artistic qualities of their Book Plates, even from
the very earliest examples, are far ahead of those of any other
country. Considerable controversy has taken place as to the
cause of this pre-eminence, but the teutonic vigour of character
INTRODUCTION iii.
has no doubt a great deal to do with the readiness to appreciate
fine work, while the great number of small princely courts each
V)^ing with the others in their desire to have the very best, both
of books in their library and of labels to show the taste of their
respective owner, created a demand which attracted and
developed the talents of some of the finest minor masters of the
time. In the search for good examples it is therefore only
natural that we should turn to the older German Book Plates,
and the majority of the examples in this book are founded
upon the excellent work of Darer and his contemporaries.
Another source of inspiration for this class of design must
not be overlooked, and that is the trade marks and colophons
of the early printers. These are exceedingly interesting, both
from the artistic sense of proportion in their design, and also
from the quaint and ingenious symbolism introduced. The
marks of Aldus, Wynkyn de Worde, and others of a
simple nature are well-known, but those of some of the
more obscure printers are little known save to the biblio-
grapher, but are, nevertheless, of great value from an artistic
standpoint.
iv. INTRODUCTION
The character of the Wood Block is distinctly appropriate
to the treatment of what may be termed the masculine school
of heraldic drawing, and which is exceedingly refreshing when
one is tired of the finicky and laboured work of the conventional
"coach-painter" school of heraldic draughtsmanship. The
nature of the designs need not be confined to heraldry, and, as
will be seen from many examples in the following pages,
considerable success can be obtained in the treatment of
monograms and other personal emblems, and where expense is
an item and simplicity a necessity, the adoption of the Wood
Block can be strongly recommended. To those whose tastes
lead them to admire the more finished and delicate treatment
of the Copper Plate, the Wood Block with its heavy lines and
bold effect does not appeal, and of course there is a great deal
to say for the more refined treatment which was dealt with
more fully in the companion volume.
Unfortunately the cheapness of what is known as the
"line" process of photographic reproduction has produced a
large amount of extremely fatuous work, which is termed by
th^ so-called artistic periodicals '' design." The drawings for
INTRODUCTION v.
this process work, of which one sees so many, are made in
spare hours by amateurs, and the very cheapness with which
the technical part of the reproduction is carried out has a
deteriorating effect upon these well-meaning but exceedingly
ill-equipped artists. A notable point — one might almost call it
the main feature — in these designs seems to be the alarming
flood of black ink, which does not even find its natural level,
but spreads with a delightfully unscientific disregard of physical
laws over the skies, rivers, mountains, seas, and woods (and
such woods !) which do duty for the background of the
attenuated figures and leafless trees which so often form the
main composition. In pointing out this peculiarity we do not
wish by any means to under-rate the artistic value of large spaces
of black, and with heraldic designs these, by a skilled hand, can
be most appropriately introduced with great effect. I have
specially in my mind the very fine plate by Diirer, of Hector
Poemer, dated 1521, which is illustrated in most of the books
dealing with Book Plates. Here the sable tincture in the arms
is rendered by a solid black which relieves the design in a very
effective way, and many other plates could be mentioned of
vi. INTRODUCTION
Diirer and his school, where the same advantage is taken of
the prevailing tincture of sable in the arms. The same
treatment has been adopted in Plates 5, 10, 11, and others,
which follow. Another ingenious method of covering space
has been adopted by the competitors for prizes in the magazines
above referred to, and that is the introduction of three plants
or flowers with long stalks which meander down the plate in
all sorts of impossible curves ; and no doubt owing to the
number of changes which can be rung on the same idea by the
slight alteration of the curves or by adopting a different flower,
leaf or plant, this "design" is of constant occurrence, and often
is successful in carrying off^ a prize or obtaining "honourable
mention."
Without dealing more in controversial matters in
connection with Book Plate designing and its history, I
will pass on to a point which has occupied the minds of most
Book Plate designers even from the early days of the
Renaissance, and that is as to whether it is permissible to
introduce colour into Book Plates. Dr. O. von Heinemann,
in his book on the Ex Libris Collection at Woltenbottel, gives
INTRODUCTION vii.
an illustration of a coloured Book Plate made for George
von Podiebrad, King of Bohemia, which dates from the 15th
century. Here the colours used are only those of the tinctures
of the arms and the yellow representing gold on the crown,
which surmounts the shield. The effect is rich, and we do not
see any reason why tinctured heraldry should not have its
place in Book Plates. We have given two examples of Book
Plates printed in two colours, red and black, independent
of the heraldic tinctures, and this has rather a good effect
(see Plates t,^ and 88). The use of these aids to the effect
of the design, however, needs very great judgment and care, as
the tendency is to depend for the effect on the colour rather
than on the design itself, which should be the feature upon
which the beauty of the Book Plate should alone rest. The
result of the carrying of this colour decoration too far can
be seen in Plate 50 of Dr. Heinemann's Book, referred to
above, where the colour work, although beautifully done, is
so elaborate that the lines of the design are entirely lost, and
one gets simply the same kind of decorative effect that is
obtained from a Turkey carpet.
viii. INTRODUCTION
With regard to the expense of designing and engraving
Book Plates, one word of warning is necessary. If an elaborate
plate is beyond the means of the owner of a library, on no
account must resort be had to the saving effected by poor work
and cheap production. Rather we would urge a simple printed
name label than a badly designed ornate Book Plate. To
anyone who has the slightest pretence to the possession of a
library, the small expense of a simple design and the necessary
Wood Block for reproducing it is a small item, and probably
would not exceed the value of even a single one of his cherished
volumes. Examples will be found of extremely simple and
inexpensive blocks in the following pages, which nevertheless
have a great deal of character and afford constant pleasure,
while for those whose purses can stand a larger drain upon
them, the more elaborate designs are equally suitable.
Another point in favour of the Wood Block is the exceed-
ingly effective appearance the Labels have when pasted on
the inside of the covers of the books, especially when marbled
or other ornamental paper is used, as is the case with the majority
of bindings. On the other hand, the Copper Plate print in the
INTRODUCTION ix.
same position does not always seem quite appropriate. There
is no doubt, however, that in itself the Copper Plate is better,
and when expense is no object, it should be preferred.
As so many books are available on the history of Book
Plates, it is unnecessary to discuss at length the different styles
of designing and engraving; we will therefore leave the follow-
ing examples to speak for themselves as representing work of a
modern artist, who has founded his style largely upon the
examples of the best early periods.
A. M.
PUBLISHERS' NOTE.
The thanks of the Publishers are due to all those owners
of Book Plates who have so kindly lent their blocks for this
book, and also for the kindly interest which they have taken in
the work.
LIST OF PLATES
WITH DESCRIPTIVE NOTES
Plate i
Fine Heraldic Book Plate, with supporters, of Lord
Melville.
Plate 2
Book Plate of Hugh Morrison Davies, Esq. Gothic
shelves, arms, and motto.
Plate 3
A fine heraldic block of Elizabethan flavour, designed by
the owner, G. F. Bodley, Esq. The mantling has a par-
ticularly rich effect.
xii. LIST OF PLATES
Plate 4
Armorial block of Andrew George Medwin, Esq.
Plate 5
Fine armorial block, with supporters, of Earl Egerton of
Tatton. Note the solid black of the background.
Plate 6
Armorial Book Plate with arabesque border. The back-
ground, being powdered with white dots on black, has a rich
effect.
Plate 7
Armorial design with ribbon, introducing oak branch.
Plate 8
Boldly treated crest and helmet. This illustrates the treat-
ment of the mediaeval heralds in their rendering of crests.
Plate 9
A good example of unconventional treatment for library
interior.
LIST OF PLATES xiii.
Plate i o
Book Plate with arms of E. R. J. Gambler Howe, Esq.
Plate i i
Ex Librls design with monogram on shield, and coronet.
Plate i 2
Fine circular Ex Libris with arms, and legend in border,
Ex Bibliotheca Wilhelmi van Eys^ Amstelodam.
Plate i 3
A simple effective block of monogram, heart, and motto.
Plate 14
Armorial block of Capt. Rudolph F. Siegel, with emblem
of ship.
Plate i 5
Rich armorial design. Joseph Crawhall Chapman, Esq.
Plate 16
Armorial Ex Libris of S. B. Bamford, Esq., Hawthornden
Manor, Uttoxeter.
xiv. LIST OF PLATES
Plate i 7
Book Plate in the form of a mediaeval seal. Arms on a
shield supported by an angel, within a cusped border. Legend
in border, Bibliotheca Coll. S. Benedicti apud Fort Augustus.
Plate i 8
Armorial block with motto. Alexander H. Turnbull, Esq.
Plate 19
Armorial Book Plate of P. Duguid, Esq.
Plate 20
Book PJate in form of seal of Woolhampton College.
Example of ecclesiastical treatment.
Plate 2 1
Monogram Ex Libris. The Rev. A. E. Kinch.
Plate 22
Quaintly arranged heraldic design. W. Balfour Stewart,
Esq.
LIST OF PLATES xv.
Plate 23
Heraldic Book Plate of F. A. Blaydes, Esq.
Plate 24
Heraldic block with monogram. J. T. Withers, Esq.
Plate 2 5
Quaint heraldic design. Frederick Silver, Esq.
Plate 26
Heraldic block with curious treatment of the mantling.
Plate 27
Book Plate of G. E. Godart, Esq., with monogram on
shield, suspended from an oak branch.
Plate 28
Fine heraldic block of Henry Bowlby, Esq.
Plate 29
Heraldic Book Plate of Samuel Edwards, Esq., intro-
ducing monogram.
xvi. LIST OF PLATES
Plate 30
Simple monogram Book Plate, H.C.S.
Plate 3 i
Fine heraldic block with monogram. Name in border.
Plate 32
Fine heraldic Book Plate of the late Rev. Dr. Woodward,
of St. Mary's, Montrose. Note the introduction of the national
emblems.
Plate 3 3
Heraldic Book Plate, with monogram on shield.
Plate 34
Circular Book Plate of the Very Rev. Canon White.
Plate 35
Symbolic Book Plate in red and black, designed by the
owner, L. F. Salzmann, Esq.
Plate 3 6
Heraldic block of Robert Hovenden, Esq., F.S.A., dated
1874, introducing monogram.
LIST OF PLATES xvii.
Plate 37
Book Plate of John Norbury, Esq. Monogram.
Plate 38
Pictorial Design. A. H. Wilson, Esq.
Plate 39
Heraldic Book Plate of David Murray, Esq., dated 1875,
introducing monogram. Note the vigorous treatment of the
crest.
Plate 40
Heraldic Book Plate with monogram. Name in scroll
which forms a border. Charles Henry Bayley, Esq.
Plate 41
Simple monogram Ex Libris, G.P.N.
Plate 42
Heraldic Book Plate with monogram of Edward Langley,
Esq.
Plate 43
Quaintly treated heraldic design of Frederic Ouvry, Esq.
xviii. LIST OF PLATES
Plate 44
Simple monogram block, A.J. P.
Plate 45
Monogram with arms.
Plate 46
Simple Heraldic Block. E. M. Allen, Esq.
Plate 47
Monogram with arms and motto.
Plate 48
Book Plate with monogram and heart with figure and
scroll.
Plate 49
Heraldic Ex LibriSy openly treated.
Plate 50
Heraldic Book Plate.
LIST OF PLATES xlx.
Plate 5 i
Heraldic block with arms and archbishop's hat,
Plate 52
Masonic Book Plate in gothic style.
Plate 5 3
Masonic Book Plate with black background.
Plate 54
Ex Libris of Samuel Knight, Esq., Architect.
Plate 55
Heraldic Book Plate in seal form.
Plate 56
Simple oval monogram H. S. M. J.
Plate 57
Arms and monogram of Henry Peckitt, Esq.
Plate 5 8
Vesica-shaped block with monogram R.C.H. A vigorous
design.
XX. LIST OF PLATES
Plate 5 9
Book Plate with arms, etc., helmet and lambrequin.
Plate 60
Heraldic Ex Librh. Dr. W. H. Flower.
Plate 6 1
Antique treatment of Armorial Book Plate. •
Plate 62
Quaint Book Plate of name in the form of monogram,
" Ross," and coronet. Motto in border.
Plate 63
Simple and vigorous monogram K.E.M.
Plate 64
Wood block with solid background, monogram J.H.S.M.
Plate 65
Small square Kx Libris of monogram E.B.H.
LIST OF PLATES xxi.
Plate 66
Elaborate design introducing monogram, crest, arms and
motto. Name in ribbon : — Albert! A. Wood.
Plate 67
Quaint design of monogram C.G.N, and coronet. Motto
in border.
Plate 68
Emblematic Book Plate. Truth opening the doors of
Knowledge.
Plate 69
An interesting heraldic Book Plate, with quarterings.
Herbert Robertson, Esq., M.P.
Plate 70
Monogram on shield suspended from an oak branch.
Ex Libris E. J. Ra-venscroft. A typical " printer's mark "
design.
Plate 7 1
Effective heraldic block of H. P. Cholmeley, Esq.
xxii. LIST OF PLATES
Plate 72
Heraldic Book Plate with the arms marshalled on two
shields. H. B. F. Knight, of the Inner Temple, Esq.
Plate 73
Monogram on shield suspended from a tree. Thomas
Newman, Esq.
Plate 74
Fine block introducing arms and monogram, A. G.
Snelgrove, Esq. This plate is interesting as containing the
" et Amicorum " so frequently found in the Book Plates of the
old collectors.
Plate 75
Ex Libris of John Wyatt, Esq. Armorial.
Plate 76
Small monogram in lozenge, H.M.
Plate 77
A neat and effective block introducing arms, monogram
and device.
LIST OF PLATES xxiii.
Plate 7 8
Heraldic design with flowing mantling of William M.
Ingle, Esq.
Plate 79
Book Plate of Rev. John Bone, with ecclesiastical hat.
Gothic seal design.
Plate 80
A neat conventional heraldic block.
Plate 8 i
Emblematic Ex Libris of the Rev. John Houghton Steele.
Plate 82
Printer's-Mark Design. Wm. L. Alexander.
Plate 83
Masonic Book Plate introducing craft emblems, with
monogram H.S.
Plate 84
Armorial Book Plate with archbishop's hat and cross.
Plate 85
Heraldic design representing a gothic seal, with ribbon
attached.
xxiv. LIST OF PLATES
Plate 86
Small monogram block J.H.S.
Plate 87
A good example of a Pictorial Book Plate.
Plate 88
Monogram on shield suspended from an oak branch.
Note the addition of red referred to in the Introduction.
Plate 89
Ex Libris of W. H. Carpenter, Esq., with monogram in
centre.
Plate 90
Gothic Book Plate with arms, insignia, and letter M.
Plate 9 i
Monogram on shield suspended from tree, F.M. No
surrounding border.
Plate 92
Circular heraldic block with priest's hat. Very Rev.
Canon White.
LIST OF PLATES xxv.
Plate 93
Heraldic Book Plate of W. W. Hardwike, M.D.
Plate 94
Small monogram R.T.P.
Plate 95
Simple monogram A.G.M.
Plate 96
Quaint heraldic Book Plate of the Rev. S. Baring Gould.
Plate 97
Monogram and oak branch design. W. B. Houghton,
M.D.
Plate 98
Heraldic Book Plate with arms in oval shield. Note the
solid treatment of the sable charges.
Plate 99
Heraldic Ex Libris of Gilbert Ellis, Esq., introducing
monogram.
Plate 100
Quaint monogram T.R.P.
Plate i
Plate 2
Plate 3
Plate 4
Plate 5
Plate 6
Plate 7
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Plate 48
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Plate 64
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Plate 85
Plate 86
Plate 87
Plate 88
Plate 89
Plate 90
Plate 91
Plate 92
Plate 93
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Plate 95
Plate 96
Plate 97
Plate 98
Plate 99
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