American Book-Plates: A Guide to Their Study with Examples

AMERICAN BOOK-PLATES (EX-LIBRIS)
A Guide to their Study with Examples By Charles Dexter Allen Member Ex-Libris Society London · Member Grolier Club New York Member Connecticut Historical Society Hartford With a Bibliography by Eben Newell Hewins Member Ex-Libris Society Illustrated with many reproductions of rare and interesting book-plates and in the finer editions with many prints from the original coppers both old and recent


A large number of articles has also been contributed to periodical literature by those well informed upon the subject, and numerous monographs testify to the growth of interest in this fascinating study, and by the names of their authors, to the class of scholars and students of antiquarian lore who deem the humble book-plate worthy of their attention.
In view of what has been and of what will be written, this present modest attempt to introduce more fully than has yet been done, the book-plates of America, needs to be understood as simply a pioneer work; a great deal of information will reward the patient and painstaking investigator of the future, which is now inaccessible, and without doubt, too, much will be found even within the present to supplement these pages.
This book could not have been undertaken nor carried to completion had the writer been denied the generous assistance and hearty sympathy of our collectors, to whom he desires to express his appreciation of the kindnesses shown him.
Especially to Mr. R. C. Lichtenstein, Mr. E. N. Hewins, and Mr. Fred J. Libbie of Boston, does he feel under deep obligation for the generous loan of their splendid collections, for ready advice and counsel, for cheerful assistance whenever asked for, and for that tangible sympathy and lively interest which are worth so much to one engaged in such work. To many others also is he indebted, both for the loan of plates and for kindly words of encouragement.