Bookplate Landscape: Collecting Volume

Author: Wu Xingwen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-09-01
Features: With the development of the book publishing industry, items ranging from cards, books, stickers, and bookplates to dictionaries, maps, and posters can all be purchased from bookstores or stationery stores. Therefore, like stamp collecting, bookplates have also become collectibles for enthusiasts. From elementary school students to college students, everyone has their favorite bookplate designs, with printed sets available for sale, such as Harry Potter. They are usually affixed to the upper corner, center, or on the flyleaf of book covers as a symbol of their own collection. Many enthusiasts, much like stamp collectors, specialize in collecting bookplates.
The origin of bookplates is said to coincide with the invention of movable-type printing by Gutenberg in Germany, around 1450. However, some experts believe it should be 1470, still slightly earlier than Western book publishing. The earliest known bookplate belonged to the German Johannes Knabensberg, signed "Lgler," depicting a hedgehog with a wildflower in its mouth and leaves under its feet. It bears a line of German text meaning, "Beware of the hedgehog—any kiss may be a warning," warning others that the book is owned and should not be touched without permission.
The function of bookplates is similar to that of Chinese book seals, both symbolizing the act of purchasing, loving, and collecting books.