Artists and Engravers of British and American Book Plates : A Book of Reference for Book Plate and Print Collectors

Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co., Ltd., London, first edition, 1897. Limited edition of 50 copies "for England" signed by the author. Quarter-vellum and printed boards, folio, 34 cm,. xvi, 135 pp, frontispiece and 24 plates illustrating approximately 80 bookplates. From the preface: ".. the present work contains the names of more than 1500 artists and engravers who have signed about 5000 plates, whereas Lord de Tabley's list gives but 200, and the lists of Mr. Lichtenstein and Mr. C. Dexter Alien less than 100. A few foreign engravers have been included in those cases where they have executed plates which come within the scope of this list, and the book plates of foreigners are also included when they are the work of British or American artists." From the text: "The arrangement of this list is as follows : - In the first column, after the artist's name, the names of the owners of the plates are given as they appear upon the Originals. Those within parentheses are unnamed on the plates but have been identified as belonging to the owner whose name is given. The second column contains a verbatim copy of the [artist's] signature, the third gives the style of the plate and the fourth the approximate date. Where the plate is dated the date appears as in the original either with the owner's inscription or with the artist's signature. Copy No. 40, signed by the author on the limitation page.. An ex-library copy with a library stamp on each pastedown endpaper and a docket on the front pastedown endpaper. Vellum darkened, boards rubbed and stained, wear to head and tail of spine and corners of boards, head and foot of front joint splitting but firm, contents Good.