the class-o-matic

a bookplate is, characteristically, a dedication page, and it's usually found - at the very front of a book.

It can serve various functions; to illustrate something about the volumes owner by theme, or it may delineate the particular interests, personality or more likely the pretentions of the designer of the image, or owners of the book.

You know, the Ex Libris (from the library of... etc.) it acts much as a bumper sticker might on a car - aka Go HABS Go !

The following images are from Modern Book-plates and their Designers, an overview of British, American and European bookplate and book designs published by The Studio magazine in 1898. 

These small Studio books are rather beautiful objects, and quite collectable - not least, for the period ads in the opening and closing pages of the books. 

A couple of the design styles are familiar from later works, notably Cyril Goldie’s remarkable accumulation of thorns and skulls, (and you guys thought this was a contemporary idea ...) Many others are illustrated in the swirling, tendrilled style of Art Nouveau which The Studio did much to promote in Britain. 

Also of interest are a few entries from well-known fine artists who are seldom associated with this kind of graphic/bookplate design. Among these is Belgian Symbolist Fernand Khnopff and the Brit Symbolist/Decadent Aubrey Beardsley.