The Bookplate Collection

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627 Items
Last Updated: 2025-01-08

The History of Medicine Collections has over 450 medically related bookplates. Although ex libris collections have never attained the popularity and status of stamp collections and the focus on medicine further limits the number of enthusiasts, there exists a small body of literature and bibliography on the subject. Bookplates can be approached as small works of art and are widely diverse in style and technique. They range from the simple to the sophisticated, from the serious to the humorous. Both individuals and libraries are represented. They are quite often engraved or woodcut, and are sometimes colored, occasionally by hand. A few are mass produced with a place to fill in a name. Size is limited only by the book into which the plate will be placed as a mark of range. The items chosen for inclusion in a plate even when focused by the common theme of medicine are various. Sometimes medical symbols such as the caduceus, stethoscope, or microscope are prominent or medical activities such as delivering a baby or performing surgery are obvious. An eye, a heart, or a bone can give an idea of the specialty. In others a medical connection is less evident and other interests of the physician are conspicuous. Sometimes there is no connection whatsoever, except for the designation of the owner as Dr. or M.D. Our collection frequently has examples of more than one ex libris designed for a particular person. Many explanations are possible for this practice. There is a limit to the number of good copies that can be struck off from a single plate. New plates are needed for a growing collection and extras are often wanted to exchange with others. An owner might want plates designed by different artists. Quite often separate bookplates are desired for different subjects within a library, either personal or institutional. Property of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library's History of Medicine Collections, Durham, NC.

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Total Works (627)

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  Title Date Created
 

Ex Libris Dr. Enrique Llobet, Venereo
Bookplate: A naked woman holds a skull in front of her pubic area. A snake is curled around her body, forming a caduceus.

This work also belongs to: Historical Images In Medicine
["1947"]
 

Ex Libris Jac de Groots
Bookplate: A bearded man in Near Eastern attire supports a fainting youth. A palm tree and a donkey are in the background.

This work also belongs to: Historical Images In Medicine
["1942"]
 

Ex Libris N. Hellemans
Bookplate: Two hands peel back the layers of the chest to reveal the stomach and intestines. A serpent frames the image.

This work also belongs to: Historical Images In Medicine
["April 12, 1958"]
 

Ex Libris Dr. A. Brauer
Bookplate: A naked man, woman, and child are held in the palm of a hand growing out of the earth. Another hand provides a sheltering roof.

This work also belongs to: Historical Images In Medicine
["1964"]
 

Ex Libris Haagen Bartram-Jensen
Bookplate: Naked youth framed by two serpents.

This work also belongs to: Historical Images In Medicine
["1900s"]
 

Ex Libris Janinos P.
Bookplate: Image of a large eye.

This work also belongs to: Historical Images In Medicine
["1963"]
 

Ex Libris Docteur Nicolas Gamaleia
Bookplate: Inscribed in a circle is a male physician examining a female patient's eye. Below is a caduceus superimposed over the letters "R.L."...

This work also belongs to: Historical Images In Medicine
["1900s"]
 

Ex Libris Laimonis Lizins
Bookplate: A man is seated at a table, a book in his right hand. He holds a magnifying glass up to his face, which greatly enlarges his left eye.

This work also belongs to: Historical Images In Medicine
["1900s"]
 

MUDr Otakar Poupa
Bookplate: Within an arched space, an eye looks up at magnified microorganisms.

This work also belongs to: Historical Images In Medicine
["1900s"]
 

Ex Libris Dr. Stefan Buraczewski
Bookplate: An open eye.

This work also belongs to: Historical Images In Medicine
["1900s"]