#gothic library

Historically, bookplates have been printed on gummed paper for a variety of reasons. First, the glue is water-soluble and can be removed by steaming or wetting without damaging your book. Second, gummed paper dries flat and without residue and eliminates the waste of sticker adhesive backings. Third, the finished bookplate has a refined look and feel. ITEM DETAILS • Dimensions: 4in x 3in, 10.16cm x 7.62cm • Substrate: 50# White English Finish Gummed Paper • Adhesive: Moisture/Water activated • Quantity: 30 Bookplates • Turn around time: 3-5 days • Each bookplate ships in a hardback envelope with instructions. • Each bookplate is handcrafted and cut to size and may vary slightly from the rest • Option to Personalize: Yes PERSONALIZATION These bookplates can be personalized with your name(s). You can choose either first name or both first and last names. The font used is an adjusted version of LHF Hertford Regular in all caps as shown in the photos. A maximum of 20 characters is allowed. INSTRUCTIONS/HOW-TO On a clean surface, moisten the back of the bookplate with a damp sponge. The bookplate will curl up a little, this is normal. Affix the moistened bookplate where desired, smoothing the paper from the center outwards to eliminate any creases and wrinkles. Gummed paper dries flat and smooth. I recommend you perform a test on a paper surface before applying to your book to get a feel for the moisture/glue. Don't moisten the front of the bookplate as inks are not waterproof. If you opted for blank bookplates, write your name in before applying. Store unused bookplates in a dark, dry place. SOME HISTORY A bookplate is sometimes called an ex-libris meaning “from the books of” in Latin. The earliest known example, dated to 1480, is the bookplate of Hilprand Brandenburg, a Carthusian monk. At first, most bookplates were designed to safeguard the property of nobles; thus, they were adorned with coats of arms and other indicators of inherited prestige. This was the case through the 18th century, though styles changed with artistic trends. The 19th century saw the rise of the middle class. Scholars, professionals, and other educated individuals became interested in bookplates and commissioned works in a pictorial vein. Since then, ex libris have been used to denote personal property, and as a form of personal expression. Since ex-libris stamps were generally never seen by the public, the artwork varied tremendously from intimate erotic scenes to darkly expressionistic styles. Thank you for supporting my small business.