The Bookplate Collection

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.

Parent Collections (1)

Total Works (627)

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List of items in this collection
  Title
 

Bookplate for Castillo De Lucas

undated
Picture of a woman with her arms around two children. Three women are shown on the right, one of whom is writing. Plate is surrounded by an...
 

Bookplate for W. Boer

undated
Picture of a stylized man standing in front of a pillar with a smoking basin at the top. Text: "Menssana in corpore sano." Name at bottom: W. Boer.
 

Bookplate for Docteur R. J. Weissenbach

undated
Picture of a window with a mountain in the background. Also shown inside are a microscope, a shelf of books, and other objects. Drawn by Jean Carlu.
 

Bookplate for Dr. Ladislaus Petrikovits

1937
Picture of a dove carrying a flower, flying into a reflection of itself. By Fery, for Dr. Ladislaus Petrikovits.
 

Bookplate for Henri Kreutzer

1937
Picture of a tree surrounded by various objects, including a microscope, some swans and other animals, and a cross. Drawn by Lily Wielders.
 

Bookplate for Prentiss Library of New York Medical College

undated
Picture of a multi-storey building on top of a book. Drawn by J. R. H.
 

Bookplate for Dr. Kozocsa Sandor

undated
Picture of a man holding two books in his left hand and a pen in his right hand. A landscape scene is shown in the background. Drawn by...
 

Bookplate for Dr. Nicolae Igna

1954
Picture of a skull on top of a book. Drawn by Carol Roman.
 

Bookplate for Dr. Joan Catasus

undated
Picture of a woman in a headdress. The woman is barefoot and adorned with jewelry. Drawn by Gardeta. Plate is labeled "Num. 21."
 

Bookplate for W. F. Daems

undated
Picture of a flower, with a man mixing something in a bucket behind it. For W. F. Daems.