Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1909-12-11
MAKING @ O PLATES.

TT IS becoming more and more the
fashion for boys and girls to have
their own book plates, which they
have designed themselves and which
appear in all their books, both those
used at school and at home. Many boys
and girls earn how to make their book
plates at school, for this work Is
taught in many public and private
schools. Those who have not had the
initial preparation are willingly coached
by their more learned playmates. Max
ing book plates is a pleasant diversion.
for the routine of play frequently pals,
and the young people are at their wits
end to know nov to pass the time. But
where the book plate fad mas sprung
up no complaints have reached the
grown-ups, for the work. is not only
genuinely alluring. but Is practical as
well.
1t is much more fun working to-
gether and then, by cooperating in the
matter OF materials, all the needful
paraphernalia can be bought by taking
up a collection Of a few dollars. From
the material thus purchased hundreds
of book plates may be turned out. For
these reasons many young persons have
formed book plate circles OF clubs,
which meet IN the evenings or after
school.
Older folk contend, and it has gen.
orally been found to be true, that the
boy or girl who owns a book plate
keeps his or her books IN much better
condition thar one who does not; for
there is a natural desire~to live up to
the new acquisition and keep h caves
as spick and spaneas the new book
plate which decorates it. 1t develops
a love for books, toe, which is bound
to mark tho beginning of a young
folks library.
In many public schools there have
been competitions for the best book
plate designs with which to mark all
the books of the school. and some real
ly beautiful designs have been turned
out. II one has studied drawing In
school then the designing of the book
plates viii be comparatively easy. But
even though one is the veriest tyro In
the work, fascinating results can be
obtained, and the process is simple.
First of all have a long table con-
~ycnIently placed on which the work
may be done. Frequently designs from
flowers. trees or shrubs are desired,
and it is always better to draw from
the natural model. II the club meui-
bers can draw from life then sketches
OF n OF the number can serve as the
motif for a design. Or, II II happens
that none of them Is sufficiently skilled
to do this, there are scores OF pretty
things that can be copied from the al
vertisfng pages Of magazines. What
ever the design which TANKS the book
plate. it should In some way illustrate
the tastes of the owner. The to sides
Of the frame are connected with some
pretty scroll-like design and within the
opening h made the II maine Is
done in quaint lettering with Her
Book" following. -.
IL is probable that the designs VIII
have to be gone over several times n
corrected so that they will be UNIFORM
When il seems pretty accurate then a
CODY is made on architects linen or O
good quality OF rice paper. This il then
transferred with impression paper TO q
pad of geiatine, which can be bought
wheye s~tationers' supplies are sold. In
tracing the design care should be taken
not to rest the hand or arm or even the
pencil too heavily or to press down too
hard upon the geiatine pad. Next the
design thus transferred is gone over
with Photographic ink, and 1t may be
simply outlined or filed in solid, ac-
enrding to the taste Of the artist. This
ink sinks into the gelatine pad, but
keeps fresh enough SO that hundreds OF
COPIES can be pulled from one drawing
Next q sheet OF vellum, which Is pref
cradle, or heavy bond paper Is gently
laid over the pad AID it's surface gone
over with a roller that ZONES fer tho
purpose. It is then peeled off and the
impression Of the design is stamped
upon it In bold relief.
II is always best to select simple de-
signs with good space values, and the
design must be properly balanced.
While the outline design is easiest to
do. the one hlled In showing heavy
shading Is most effective.
1t is a pretty fancy, this Identifying
ones own books BY something Illus
trative of the owners taste, and there
are today quite % many youthful
hibelots as grown-upa, n II you
should happen to take down a book
from the average, school boys shelf or
library today you would see not foolish
rhymes and thumb prints. but a neat
strip of vellum o English bond deco
rated with some design illustrating the
hobby OF that particular boy.
From an artistic point OF view the
Illustration Of book plates for children
10 quite as effective as those done for
grown-urs. The latter are more COM