Bookplates

Bookplates

We have had quite a lot of antiquarian books arrive in the bindery over the last few weeks. Mostly calf bindings and although beautiful, most in rather a sorry state. What we have noticed is that a few have had some lovely bookplates.

A bookplate, also known as ex-librīs [Latin, "from the books of..."], is usually a small print or decorative label pasted into a book, often on the inside front cover, to indicate its owner. Simple typographical bookplates are termed "booklabels".

Bookplates typically bear a name, motto, device, coat-of-arms, crest, badge, or any motif that relates to the owner of the book, or is requested by him from the artist or designer. The name of the owner usually follows an inscription such as "from the books of..." or "from the library of...", or in Latin, ex libris.... Bookplates are important evidence for the provenance of books.

Link to history on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bookplate#Study_and_collection


As we like bookplates in general and always find them fascinating, I thought I would take some photos and post them on a blog

Ive done a little digging around on the internet a have come up with some info on a couple of them.
If anyone wants to add or know any further info just email me at info@blackcatbindery.com and I can add it. I may also add more book plates as and when they land on our doorstep.

I did think it would be nice to produce some modern bookplates for newly married couples to mount in the front of wedding albums, photo albums, keepsake boxes and  guest books.

The de Burgh coat of arms A red cross on a gold shield above which is a seated and chained 'mountain cat'. Legend says that the red cross started with the first crusade. One story is that a de Burgh recovered a gold shield from a slain Saracen and marking a red cross on it with his own blood. Another story said that Richard I dipped his finger in the blood of a slain Saracen king, put a red cross on the gold shield of de Burgh, and said "for your bravery this will be your crest". The Cat is said to represent liberty and courage and is believed to be awarded for a de Burgh's courage and skill in battle during the crusades. The motto has varied between 'A cruce Salus' meaning 'salvation from the cross' which would have originated in the crusades or 'ung roy, ung foy, ung loy' which means 'one king, one faith, one law' and this would've originated when the family moved to Ireland.

Edward Heron-Allen FRS (1861–1943)

He was the fourth son of George Allen (1823–1911), a lawyer from London and Catherine Herring or Heron (b. 1830). He married 1stly, Marianna Lehamn, daughter of the artist Rudolf Lehmann. 

In 1903 he married 2ndly, Edith Emily (1872–1943), daughter of William Brown Pepler MD. 

The bookplate was thus made after 1903.~

A lawyer by profession, Edward Heron-Allen is one of those personalities difficult to define. A man of many talents and a vast range of interests, both in the arts and science, he dedicated much of his life to the study and writing on a wide variety of subjects – novels and short stories, chiromancy, the art of violin making, local history and archaeology, marine zoology (the chalk foraminifera), heraldry, bibliography, asparagus culture, the translation and study of Persian literature classics, and on oriental religions (Budhism and the Egyptian Nefer sign).
His literal prose translation of The Ruba'iyát of Omar Khayyám is still celebrated (see, http://members.iinet.net.au/~ploke/Omar/Khayyamnotes.htmland http://members.iinet.net.au/~ploke/Omar/compare.html).

Info taken from http://bookplate-jvarnoso.blogspot.co.uk/2007_03_01_archive.html

Thanks to a lovely customer two more bookplates were brought into the bindery to add to our new collection.

The  below bookplate shows arms of Trinity House with the motto “Trinitas in Unitate” (Three in One). The Corporation of Trinity House of Deptford Strond, known as Trinity House, has three core functions: it is the official General Lighthouse Authority for England, Wales, the Channel Islands and Gibraltar, responsible for the provision and maintenance of navigational aids, such as lighthouses, buoys, and maritime radio/satellite communication systems. Trinity House is also an official deep sea pilotage authority, providing expert navigators for ships trading in Northern European waters.

A rather nice library is depicted in this American bookplate owned by Arthur L' Fisher MD

Print boxes, clamshell boxes & keepsake boxes

Below are a few examples of print boxes, clamshell boxes & keepsake boxes all made to measure.
We can produce a one off keepsake box to hold treasured items or batches of up to 50 boxes for USB's or photographic print collections. Bespoke lettering or company logos can be embossed in gold, silver or blind on the front, back or inside of your box.

More examples at https://plus.google.com/103110599201053318227/posts/CYX2byxKUpB
and https://www.facebook.com/bookbinding
Please email us at info@blackcatbindery.com if you have any queries regarding these presentation boxes

Angela Carter - Tigers Bride

Limited Edition Private Press book printed by Rampant Lions Press, Cambridge with 14 lino cut illustrations by Corinna Sargood and bound by Black Cat Bindery, Somerset.


     

 

The Rampant Lions Press was founded by Will Carter, and published its first 

book in 1936. Will’s son Sebastian joined the Press full-time in 1966. Over the 

years the Press built up a reputation as one of the leading fine presses in the 

world. Sebastian retired at the end of 2008, and closed the workshop.

Corinna Sargood, a life long friend, worked with Carter intensively on 

image-centered adaptations of her work: Sargood illustrated the two 

Virago books of fairy tales edited by Carter; and painted pictures for the 

film The Magic Toyshop, adapted from Carter's 1967 novel. 

We have a few copies left of this book. If you are interested in buying a copy

Email info@blackcatbindery for info

             

Thought I would add  a few pictures of the bindery.

The Black Cat Bindery is a friendly, traditional craft bindery situated in the countryside near to the pretty market town of Castle Cary in the heart of Somerset, England. We are a small professional team of dedicated bookbinders aiming to produce memorable and lasting bindings and boxes for every special occasion. Using traditional hand binding equipment, some of which dates back to the Victorian era, our products are classically authentic. Each order is an opportunity to produce a handmade item which you will treasure forever.

We undertake a wide variety of work from photograph albums – including wedding, christening birthdays, whatever your special memories are, to the binding of limited edition print runs of up to one hundred. We also produce presentation print boxes,keepsake boxes and CD/ DVD folios as well as visitors books, guest books and journals. As we offer a bespoke service we are more than happy to undertake one off commissions.

Restoration of older books is also undertaken and our aim is always to restore the book, giving it lasting strength, whilst maintaining its original appearance.

As all our products are handmade to order turn around time for website items are usually 1-2 weeks but we do always try our best to accommodate if you are in a hurry.

                        Our new website is up and running
                              www.blackcatbindery.com

                Have a look and let us know what you think.      www.blackcatbindery.com

Chiyogami Paper

Chiyogami patterns were inspired from Kimono patterns and first made by Japanese Paper-Makers in the 20th century. With a decline in the manufacture of Kimonos, the old cloth printing studios began applying their patterns to paper. Originally printed by woodblock and used to make paper dolls and other home decorations, Chiyogami is still silkscreened by hand using a mixture of kozo and sulphite. These patterns blended with the existing woodblock-printed Chiyogami tradition to create a newer, wider range of paper patterns that now also included gold. 

Known for beautiful, vibrant and striking colours, many of today's Chiyogami patterns are based on traditional Japanese designs with symbols that represent beauty, good fortune and long life. These patterns include flowers, trees, animals and geometric shapes. Flowering plum trees, pine leaves, clover, bamboo, violets, butterflies, stripes and parasol shapes are among the traditional designs that are still very popular today.

Chiyogami can be used for a wide variety of art and craft projects. It is a favorite choice for Origami, the Japanese art of paper folding. Cranes, boats and many other shapes and objects are exquisitely beautiful when made with Chiyogami. Japanese paper has inspired many wedding invitation designs and used to line envelopes. Today we see book covers, greeting cards, scrapbook pages, collages, picture mats and lampshades all made with Chiyogami. Due to its strength and durability Chiyogami is ideal for covering all kinds of common household objects, such as picture frames, boxes, tins and light switch covers.

All Chiyogami Paper  is still silk-screened by hand. It's a laborious process, with each pattern requiring a separate screen that needs to be hand-registered for each color layer. 

First Posted in 2010 by Larry Chase

We have been playing around with this beautiful paper and have been commissioned by a few people to line print boxes with it. We think it looks great.