For #WorldBudgieDay, here is the 1st published image of a Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) for its scientific description by George Shaw (as the “Undulated Parrakeet") in The Naturalist's Miscellany of 1804-5.

(Yes, it appears unnaturally elongated, likely due to Shaw working from a skin rather than a living bird.)

Via BHL

Carve it, y/n?

Jan Gastmans

Ex Libris, 1960s Estonia

This page makes my skin crawl.

This illustrated and hand-painted plate of spiders is from A philosophical account of the works of nature, 1721.

Linoleum block print I made a couple years ago that I designed to work as a bookplate. Still works just fine!

One last bookplate which is so charming I have to provide some comments (See the other ones here, here and here.)

This is the bookplate (or ex libris) of German politician, lawyer and Enlightenment figure Johann Daniel von Olenschlager (1711-1778), It depicts an ideal of a library which is made clear already in the Latin motto inscribed in the elaborate, Rococo frame, which translated into something like “I wish to be both useful and to be of enjoyment.” 

The depicted library room is an open loggia covered with a roomy vault. The side walls are entirely covered by bookshelves, giving that pleasant, comfortable impression of being lost in a sea of reading material. The floor, we may imagine, is a cool stone floor - because at the rear end, the loggia opens generously to a gorgeous Baroque garden. The shadows falling from the pillars to the left, the fountain trickling  and the garland having from the roof to frame the entrance all give away a vague feeling of an eternal summer day. Pruned trees, a gravel path and a balustraded stair emanate an atmosphere of peace and order. Two figures move towards us from the garden; we can almost hear the bright voices of our friends approaching. In a few moments they will be with us, laughingly teasing us to finally drop our books and get out into the sunshine with them. I wouldn’t mind at all.

Julius Klinger, (German , 1876–1942 • Zoologischer Garten Lithograph Plate from Die Deutsche Werbe Graphik • Printer: Francken & Lang, Berlin • 1927

Ex Libris

If you want to protect your books, find yourself a mythical creature to keep inside your precious pages. You might have to go through quite a journey to obtain one though!

She will protect your most precious books with the hair of sleeping changelings and the nettles of scheming witches!

Worship your books with Rabbits and Wisteria! Always honour your most precious pages by gathering befriended creatures to dance with you under fragrant moonlit gardens. A book plate is secured in the front end paper of your chosen book and your name is written in the space provided. The Latin words “Ex Libris” are usually a part of most designs to indicate essentially - this book belongs to - but literally translates to “From the books”.

These designs are born from my love and adoration for books and printed objects. I think now that I have started, I will forever be thinking of new creations for future book plate illustrations!

Must be an exciting tail.

Happy Gnu Year!

“Antilope Gnou Tulbagh / Le Gnou / Der Capsche Gnou” 1780

"Gnou” 1803

“The Gnoo” 1804

“Black-Tailed Gnus” 1909

Shop's open!

Marquette University Library bookplate