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One of the essential elements of a bookplate of course is the name of the client. Normally, his name forms one whole with the expression 'ex libris' (or an equivalent) and is mostly accompanied by an illustration.Some artists however have designed also bookplates on which you have to write, stamp or print your name in an empty box or a blank field.
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   Some universal bookplates by Louis Rhead.
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Since other people can use the same bookplate with their own name onto it, these bookplates are called 'universal' bookplates.
As there are produced in larger editions than the individual bookplates, they are mostly made in any reproduction technique such as block print (P1), halftone (P2), or heliogravure (P3), sometimes in colors.Some artists have created beautiful 'universal' pieces besides their 'individual' bookplates, as did for example the British-American artist Louis Rhead. |
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They usually depict a certain theme or a specific profession.
One of the most famous creators of many beautiful universal bookplates is the German heraldry artist Otto Hupp. His style is very recognizable. The choice of his themes is very extensive and they mostly have titles or aphorisms in Latin. Notwithstanding universal bookplates are undervalued as they do not strictly correspond to the definition of a bookplate, they even find the way to the collector if they are of a high creative, artistic and technical level or when the creator is a well known artist. |
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