Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1886-06-23

f'Ex-libris,' as the French more ap-
propriately call them, began almost
with the printing books. They have
been more or less in vogue among a
limited class during the intervening
three centuries and more. New York
ers have not heretofore taken a vast
interest in the subjects, but they are
now beginning to awaken to its impor-
lance. There has recently appeared
very decided indications of a renais-
sance of the book-plate in that vicinity.
The movement already amounts to a
craze among the bibilophiles. 1t is
very likely to become general among
the lovers of books. Mr.. Laurence
Hutton has been adding fuel to the
flames by contributing to the Book
Buyer series of interesting articles, IL
lllstrated by fac-similes, some of which
are here reproduced. The members
of the literary clubs have been agita-
ting the matter. Many of them have
already supplied themselves with
plates, and are diligently FASTING them
on the covers of their books. Others
arc endeavoring to conjure up apt and
appropriate designs, or are ransacking
old volumes on heraldry for something
that will serve as suggestion. 1t is a
very taking mania with those who pos
sess private libraries, and the engrav-
ers are in increasing demand.
The numerous class of people who
have weakness for ''collecting' are
also turning their attention to the SUBJ
iect. Bookplates have for many years
been the object of special solicitude on
the part of the bibliophiles of England
and France. Mr. j. j. Howard, of
Dartmouth, England, is credited with
having collected during the last forty
years over 10000 specimens of all ages
and nationalities. He is rivalled, if
not surpassed, by some of the CONT
mental collectors: But in this country
heretofore comparatively few COLLECT
ors of curi0s have given any atten=
ton to the subject. Mr.. James Eddy
Mauran, of Newport, who has gathered
some $500 specimens, and Mr.. Rich
ard c. Lichtenstein, of Boston. who
possesses some 5000 examples, arc the
most notable. Recent reports, however,
show that there are now score or
two collectors, and the ranks are re-
ceiving frequent accessions. The
market price of all bookplates, wheth-
er American or foreign, is rapidly I'M
/ proving, and at the secondhand book
stores sharp lookout is kept for
stray specimens.
Books, no less than umbrellas, from
time immemerial seem to have been
the victims of an unfortunate laxity of
morals. The hardened book borrower
is a man without shred of conscience.
He is utterly regardless of the desola-
ton he occasions. Though valuable
sets of books may be rendered worth
less, the propriety of returning the Dor
rOwed volumes never occurs to him.
He is not a modern pest, but doubtless
came into existence with the first book
And herein lies the secret of the origin
of the book-plate. 1t is the presump-
tive evidence of the ownership of books
and serves as . more or less courteous
reminder to" the ptocrastiAatihg
borrower. Sometimes it is accompan-
led with legend for his special benefit.
Old Sherlock Willis neatly grasped
the situation in his inscription, 1.-The
ungodly borroweth and payeth not
again" A later book lover was wont
to inscribe the following lines on the
fy-leaves of his precious volumes: