Bookplates: Types, Desirability & Book Values

A bookplate is a small printed label which is adhered to a book, most often inside the front cover. They are also sometimes known as "ex libris," meaning "from the library of.")

They are of two types: ownership and author signature. The earliest date from the 15th century A.D.

This article explores bookplates, & how they affect book value.

Click on any of the photos for a larger view.

Ownership Bookplates

Most bookplates are intended to establish ownership, with the owner's name either printed or written upon them.

Ownership bookplates are commonly sold in packages of one or two dozen at bookstores, but may also be custom-made.

The "ex libris" plate pictured at top of page was custom-printed; at top left you'll see an example of a store-bought bookplate from the late 1980s.

The fabulous woodcut design bookplate at left was found in a 1935 edition of The Plays of Anton Chekhov.

It is much larger than most bookplates, measuring approximately 4" x 4.5."

(The Chekov book itself, published by Three Swans Press, is illustrated with wonderful woodcuts by Howard Simon.)

should you attach a bookplate?

It is best not to attach a bookplate, as it defaces the book & will detract from the book's value as it is (most often) considered a blemish.

Adhesives used on bookplates are often not acid-free and can damage the page to which it's attached, as well as facing pages, subtracting even more from the book's value.

Condition is everything to collectors, who will much prefer a book without a bookplate, unless the bookplate is of some significance (see below). So, unless you're someone of great fame, it is best to refrain from sticking a book plate inside your books.

lending library bookplates

Public libraries sometimes add an identifying bookplate to their books.

If an ex-library book should come into the hands of a collector, the bookplate probably will be a lesser concern than the damage & (probably) numerous other library markings typical of such books.

Learn more about ex-library books..

Author-Signed Bookplates

The second type of bookplate is signed by the author. Sometimes, instead of signing a book directly, an author will sign bookplates, which the publisher affixes to the books.

Authors find this convenient, as they can sign at their leisure, rather than visiting the publisher's offices to sign books.

Author bookplates are sometimes found on review copies and special editions.

At left is an example of an author-signed bookplate, which is attached to the front free endpaper of a review copy of Ray Manzarek's book, Light My Fire.

A book containing a signed bookplate will usually command a lesser price than a book that's been signed directly. A book which has actually come into contact with the author is most attractive to collectors.

Bookplates & Book Values

Whether a previous owner's, or signed, bookplates do have an impact on book values; the amount depends on the particular bookplate's characteristics and the book in question.

When selling a book, presence of a bookplate (& its location) should always be noted.

bookplates identifying the previous owner

An ownership bookplate usually will negatively affect the book's value.

If it's the bookplate of a previous owner, and nicely designed or custom-printed (as opposed to something tacky, say, with Snoopy or a purple unicorn on it), it likely won't detract greatly from the value of the book.

However, consideration must be made as to whether the plate's adhesive may, in time, damage the book. Over time adhesives may seep through the paper, affecting the bookplate, the paper to which it's attached, and the facing page.

In general, collectors will prefer an unbookplated book.

However, if the bookplate belonged to someone of great note (a public figure, noted collector, or expert on the book's subject), it will add somewhat to the book's value.

bookplates signed by the author

A signed bookplate (signed by the author), is quite desirable but will add a little less to the value of the book than if the author had signed directly on the book.

does the location of a bookplate matter?

Placement of a bookplate (endpaper vs. pastedown) doesn't, in my opinion, matter when valuing the book. What matters most is what type of bookplate it is & whose name and /or signature is on it.

should a bookplate be removed?

I'd never advise attempting to remove a bookplate. Such attempts usually don't turn out well & the resulting blemish would detract from the book's value more than the bookplate does.

Bookplate Collecting

Some people collect bookplates (either loose or attached to books), often concentrating on those owned by notable people, or by designed by famous artists. There are a number of organizations & websites devoted to bookplate collecting, see the resources below for a few.

More Information on Bookplates

• American Society of Bookplate Collectors & Designers
• The Bookplate Society (UK)
• The Art of the Ex Libris
• Bookplates article at Wikipedia
• Thomas Murray Bookplate Collection Archive
• You'll find many books about bookplates at Amazon.com

We've got more to tell you!

For further info on book collecting, first editions, and values, see more of our book collecting articles.

Questions?

Please email Denise if there's a or topic you'd like to see added to this page.