EXHIBIT
Ex Libris
Ex Libris (Latin for ‘from the library of’) is an exhibition of bookplate art. Bookplates connect a personal library collection, designate ownership of journals, notebooks, and assist lent books in being returned to their rightful owner.
The modern bookplate has been around since the invention of the printing press in the 15th century. However the earliest bookplate dates back to Egypt 1353 BC. Early modern bookplates often had armorial designs– as books were expensive to produce and own back then, only the nobility could afford them.
These armorial designs included the owner’s coat of arms, crest or motto. As books became more easily produced and widespread, so did the ownership of bookplates. England in the 19th century had a boom of bookplate collectors and artists. Technological developments in the early 20th century allowed bookplates to be easily reproduced and made way for pictorial bookplates.
The opening reception will take place Friday, September 22nd from 5 to 8 pm.