Bookplate Society News - Summer 2012

Vol.34 No.1 Summer 2012

Nothing like a new addition to the family and the completion of an academic manuscript to deplete one's time for a hobby.  Happily, the book is finally done and life is returning to normal after a great summer away from the keyboards.  I was sifting through my pile of bookplate related material sitting on a corner of the study desk and since it's a quiet rainy Sunday, it seems like a good time to finally post an update or two.

First on the pile is the latest Bookplate Society newsletter.  This issue includes a great little article by Bryan Welch titled, "On the identification of bookplates", which offers some preliminary guidance on how to go about researching your ex libris.  Welch briefly outlines what might constitute intrinsic and extrinsic evidence for the identification of a bookplate, as well as how this evidence may be clarified or confused depending on how it is derived.  Though he doesn't specifically say it, Welch's article does infer that provenance can play a big role in determining the owner and/or designer of a bookplate.

Other news includes a panegyric to the British designer Reg Boulton (1923-2012), who created many interesting bookplates for the Hereford region.  Other news items include the society's annual report as well as the catalogue for Auction 66.  Additionally, there are the usual notes on online auctions and other sales, member's news, library news, and book reviews.  All in all it's a great update with something for everyone.  Until next time...