A modern neat ex libris, with only the two family crests and mottoes, is that of the late Sir “Wroth Acland Lethbridge,” Baronet. The baronetcy was created in 1804. The crests are: First, out of a mural crown, or, a demi-eagle displayed proper; and second, out of a ducal coronet, two arms in armour, holding a leopard’s face. Mottoes: “Truth” and “Spes mea in Deo.” The owner of this plate was born in 1831, and, after serving in the Rifle Brigade, succeeded his father as fourth baronet on 1st March, 1873.
A pretty crestplate of perhaps about 1770 is the ex libris of “Thoˢ Wᵐ Plummer.” The crest is a bird’s head, and the bird seems very properly to be about to devour a plum. The crest is framed by two branches, presumably of plum trees.
CHAPTER IX
MODERN BOOKPLATES
Remarks on examples given in The Studio, special winter number, 1898-9.
MODERN bookplates are not easy to discuss satisfactorily. The following are some of the plates which were named or illustrated in The Studio special winter number, 1898-9, which went out of print at once. Mr. Gleeson White, who was by no means blind to the failings of up-to-date ex libris, wrote this, and gave with it the large number of one hundred and forty-nine illustrations.
On page [3] is given the ex libris, “T. Edmund Harvey,” a gruesome jumble of sticks and bones. This plate is by Cyril Goldie. In any comments now written no injurious reflections are intended; as, for one thing, it is impracticable, and probably undesirable, to know whether, and in what proportions, owner, artist, or manufacturer, are responsible. Besides these three, there is a fourth and oft-predominating partner to be considered, namely, fashion. Probably the only value of the impressions here written is that they are formed by one who is an entirely independent critic and a true lover of beautiful ex libris. The phrases of professionals will not therefore be expected.
On page [4] is given the ex libris “Eduard John Margetson,” by W. H. Margetson. This plate seems simple and pleasing enough. On the other hand, it is not exhilarating to find in this evidently very fair sample volume no less than twenty-seven bookplates, each depicting a female and a book.
On page [5] the ex libris “Richard Trappes Lomax,” by Paul Woodroffe, is very refreshing to look upon. It has all the familiar points of a bookplate, in that it is armorial, with mantling, and flowery foliage. At the same time the plate is not common, crowded, or eccentric. Now, on the other hand, turn to page 7, where is a plate “From among the books of Fred. W. Brown.” In this there is doubtless some good work, but in looking at the plate the eye and brain at once feel tired and bewildered; you seem to long to turn from a crowded hotch-potch, if only, it might be, to stare for a while at a blank barn door.
On page [9] are three plates by W. R. Weyer. These are distinctly good to look at; there seems a wholesome taste about them; there is plenty of decoration, without any attempt to crowd a volume of emblems and a market-gardener’s flower-show into two inches by one and a half. In each the owner’s name is clearly given, and, of course, no bookplate ought to want this. In addition, two are dated—that of Richard Chapman, 1892, and Reginald Balfour’s, 1898.
On page [12] is a distinctly satisfactory modern plate. It is a portrait-plate, and is by J. W. Simpson, for himself. He has depicted himself enjoying a long clay pipe. Beneath is the simple record in the plainest of letters: “J. W. Simpson His Book.”