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’re most commonly used to identify the book’s owner. However, some bookplates are signed by the author, then affixed to the book. This is easier for the author than signing bulky books.
Types of Bookplates
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; the orange one above is a store-bought bookplate from the late 1980s.
The fabulous woodcut design bookplate above 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.)
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 there’s no need to visit the publisher’s offices or to sign and perhaps ship heavy books.
Author bookplates are sometimes found on review copies and special editions.
The bookplate above 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 increase the book’s value, but it will most often command a lesser price than a book that’s been signed directly. This is because a book which has come into contact with the author is most attractive to collectors. (Think of it this way: you’re not actually buying a signed book, but rather two items pasted together: a signature, and a book.
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..
Should you attach a bookplate?
If the book is–or might become–a collectible, it’s 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 famous, it’s best not to use a bookplate.
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 un-bookplated 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?
It’s best just to leave it be. Removal 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.
Paul Oldroyd says
Hello,
I have an antique religious book from 1720, which has a bookplate of Sir William Curtis (Baron), who was a well known and renowned Baron of the 18th and 19th century. Does this make the book in question more valuable?
This is copied and pasted from Wikipaedia in reference to him:
Born in Wapping, London, Curtis was the son of a sea biscuit manufacturer, Joseph Curtis, and his wife Mary Tennant.[3]
The family business was making ship’s biscuit and other dry provisions for the Royal Navy. They were also shipowners whose vessels carried convicts to Australia and engaged in South Sea whaling.[4]
A lifelong Tory, he was elected as a Member of Parliament for the City of London at the 1790 general election.[5] He held the seat continuously for 28 years until his defeat at the 1818 general election.[6] He was returned to the Commons in February 1819 at a by-election for Bletchingley,[7][8] and at the 1820 general election he was returned again for the City of London.[2][6] He did not contest London again at the 1826 election,[6] when he was returned for Hastings.[9][10] He resigned that seat later the same year.[10]
Curtis was also Alderman of the city, becoming Sheriff of London in 1788 and Lord Mayor in 1795–96. He was known for the lavish banquets he gave at his estate, Cullands Grove. He was created a Baronet of Cullonds Grove in 1802.[11]
Memorial to Sir William Curtis in St George’s Church, Ramsgate, Kent
Curtis died in 1829. His estate sale ran for a week, and included 370 dozen bottles of wine, port, claret, East India Madeira, sherry (Wild’s), Malaga, Hock, and beer.[
Many thanks and kind regards,
Paul.
Denise says
What a fascinating story! Bookplates from notable people will often increase the value of a book, and even more if they have some connection to the book’s subject or to the author.
Ed Rotberg says
I am considering getting a custom ownership bookplate, designed by a noted commercial artist (the book collection is primarily Science Fiction and Fantasy — mostly signed first editions, some rare, signed, first editions — and the artist works in the genre professionally). The plates would be printed on acid-free art stock, and I would use a removable/repositionable, acid-free adhesive to attached them.
Does this sound like a reasonable plan?
ROBERT KEARNEY says
I occasionally find ragged copies of paperbacks that are signed but are not really collectible. The signatures are found in less-famous titles by the author. Two examples, from Pulitzer Prize winners, are novelist Larry McMurtry and Civil War historian James McPherson. Another is a paperback biography of Bear Bryant, found for 10 cents. My strategy is to buy the ragged paperback just for the signature, then cut out the signature and carefully paste it in free space on the title page of a collectible hardcover — in the case of McMurtry, a Lonesome Dove first printing, and of McPherson, a Battle Cry of Freedom first printing. I haven’t done the paste-ins yet and want your advice of how to proceed. I should add that due to severe Parkinson’s, a decent current autograph of McMurtry has been unavailable for several years. You have to find an earlier book to find a very handsome McMurtry signature.
One other question, or maybe it’s a tip: If you have a signed bookplate by a living author, place it inside the book and do not affix it. You may still find an event where that author is accessible to sign on the title page. Of course, when the author passes away, it is time to affix the bookplate.
Daniel Wachs says
I have a first edition Pudd’nhead Wilson By mark twain. Twain’s signature is below his photograph in one of the first pages there are no pixels in the signature like there are in the photo. With that mean it’s a signature and not printed with the book
Denise says
Depending on the printing process, not all signatures will have those dots under magnification, but some will. Lack of the dots doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s a real signature; it’s just one clue.
Usually, with a signature of this age made by the author themselves, you’ll be able to feel the ink (which may vary in thickness, have blots, etc.) on the page with your finger. You may also be able to to feel an impression (made by the pen nib), which may vary in depth, on the reverse of the page.
Author photos with reproduced signatures underneath often appear in 19th-century books. A facsimile signature will usually feel flat and be printed directly under the image. The signature won’t usually extend beyond the width of the image under which it appears. The ink color will likely be a match to the color of the ink used in the image above.
I hope these clues are helpful. As a last resort, you could take the book to a reputable antiquarian bookseller (or pay an appraiser) for another opinion.
Tony Turner says
I have just bought a copy of Hotel du Lac signed by the author. When i received it it includes a loose bookplate with Anita Brookner sig. It looks like her signature as i have books signed onto the book by her. As it is loose, unattached does this make any difference? Can i be sure it was meant for that actual book? It is a hardback first edition
Tony Turner
Denise says
Hi Tony,
Hm, if you were sold a signed book but received a book and a bookplate, that’s not right. You should get what you’re promised and it should always be divulged in advance what’s being sold. No surprises! A bookplate should be advertised as “signed bookplate affixed,” or if it’s loose inside the book, “signed bookplate affixed laid in.”
As to whether it makes a difference, well, that depends. If you’re collecting just for your own pleasure and it doesn’t bother you, then no problem. If you’re buying for resale, it might make some difference as books with signed book plates sometimes (not always) sell for less than actual signed books. (Some collectors like the idea that the book was at some point in the author’s hands.)
Sometimes authors sign bookplates when they don’t want to do readings/signings or to deal with big stacks of books to be signed. These may be sent to bookstores to affix to or sell with the books. So it might make sense to see if this author is currently signing books, or is just doing bookplates now. (That might take some Googling or maybe even a call to the publisher, maybe the bookseller even knows.)
In any case, I think an inquiry to the bookseller is in order!
Dan Pundyk says
Hi Denise : I have a 1st edition / first printing of The Hunt for Red October in Fine / Fine condition of which 5,000 copies were printed by The Annapolis Naval Institute having all 1st edition points. I also have a fancy bordered book plate 4.25 ” X 3.50″ loosely laid in with all capital letter typing at the top
BY TOM CLANCY
” THE HUNT FOR RED OTOBER ”
( FIRST NOVEL ) and signed below boldly, crisp and well defined in blue ink
Is it possible this was printed by the publisher or possibly an ex-libris by the author? Should I retain it as loosely laid in or affix it to the 2nd front free end paper? Your input would be greatly appreciated.
Respectfully,
Dan
Denise says
HI Dan,
If the publisher printed the bookplate, it seems that it would have been done at a later date given the “first novel” designation. I don’t know if there would be a difference in value whether the bookplate is affixed or laid in. Clancy and similar books aren’t really my forte.
best wishes,
Denise
roxane viola says
if the bookplate is of a famous or renowned person does it add value to a book?
Denise says
Hi Roxane,
Yes, a bookplate from a well-known person would add value; in that case, the book would be called an “association copy.”
There’s more about association copies on this page: https://www.emptymirrorbooks.com/collecting/author-signatures
That page is about signed books, but a book can be an association copy even if it’s not signed. I hope this helps!
Denise
Leslie Davis says
Hi Denise. Do you know of any companies that sell blank bookplates that we can provide for an author to sign in advance?
Thanks,
Denise says
Hi Leslie,
This company, The Library Store, provides blank bookplates that can be signed by an author. They have a number of designs and sell them on Amazon:
http://amzn.to/2bKiBjL
My apologies for taking so long to reply!
best wishes,
Denise
Carmen Massicotte says
Is a book from the 1800s with the wrong binding valuable? I have a copy of “Hypatia” (Kingsley) bound with the hardcover “The Pathfinder” by Cooper.
Denise says
Hi Carmen,
Generally speaking, misbound books aren’t much desired by collectors, who usually want perfect books (or as close to perfect — “fine” — as possible). But there’s always the possibility that there’s a collector of Kingsley or Cooper who might be interested in buying it.
cheers!
Denise
Native Pakistan says
I have a hard cover book titled “The Romance of Industry and Invention” (Author: Robert Cochrane). Publisher: W & R Chambers, Limited, London and Edinburgh. Though no publishing date is given but my search on the Internet shows that it was published in 1890s.
This book has a a small printed label which is pasted inside the front cover. This label is from High Street Independent Methodist Sunday School, Bolton. It mentions that it is being gifted to a student for regular and punctual attendance in 1899. It is also signed by three persons; Superintendent, Vice Superintendent and Secretary.
Can this small printed label be called a bookplate?
Is there any way I can send you the photo of this printed label?
Denise says
Yes, that could be called a bookplate. The book sounds like a great find! If you’d like to send me a photo, please send an email (see “about –> get in touch” at top of page) and I will give you the email address to send it to. best wishes, Denise
Susan Faust says
Do you know where to get the item (works n the manner of a stapler) and embosses on a page your own design?
Denise says
Hi Susan,
It’s called a book embossser or embossing press. This link should turn up quite a few: https://www.google.com/search?q=book+embosser+ex+libris
Amazon also has some: http://amzn.to/1TQYVVv
These embossers will devalue first editions and other collectible books (unless you’re someone famous whose name adds value to books!) but they do work well as a permanent way to identify books belonging to you!
best wishes,
Denise