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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Ex Libris Dr. Antonio Castella Escabros1900sBookplate: From top to bottom: left profile of warrior in helmet, serpent twined around goblet to form a caduceus, x-ray of a ribcage, esophageal... |
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Bookplate for K. K. BossinaundatedAn owl stands on a skull and looks through a microscope. Several books and a chemical retort are displayed. For K. K. Bossina by Muld. Wissel. |
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Bookplate for Dr. WoltarsundatedPicture of a bench in the woods, with an open book. For Dr. Woltars. At bottom "Waldsanatorium Kletscha". |
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Bookplate for Dr. Hans WittakundatedPicture of a boy in a cap carrying a book. Drawn by Rudolf Kohl. |
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Bookplate for Dr. Mario Marques TourinhoundatedThe bones of an arm with a small cartoon-like person nailing a piece of wood to the bone above the elbow. For Dr. Mario Marques Tourinho. |
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Bookplate for Joao Augusto Duarte GeralundatedPicture of books, scrolls, and instruments. At top "Habent sua fata libelli". At bottom "Do doutor Joao Augusto Duarte Geral". |
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Bookplate for Dr. Ci. van de VoordeundatedPortrait of a table filled with books. Also on the table are a candle and a mirror with a snake coiled around it. Text in French. |
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Bookplate for Gino SabattiniundatedPicture of a man on horseback hunting deer. Another man is following a hunting dog on foot. A forest and mountains are shown in the background.... |
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Bookplate for Mr. Robt. Carter, ChymistundatedPicture of a coat of arms with a cross above and a scroll below. Mr. Carter had a pharmacy in Stepney. |
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Bookplate for Dr. Oskar and Dr. Anna Lerperger1900sBookplate: A crowned serpent, curled around a caduceus, decorates the elaborate facade of a "gingerbread" house. Patients ring the respective... |