BOOKPLATE INTERNATIONAL

HON. EDITORS

W.E. Butler and Maryann Gashi-Butler

COMMENT

Bookplates are a truly international phenomenon nurtured by societies in some thirty-two countries of the world nationally-based but loosely linked in the International Federation of Ex-Libris Societies (FISAE). Nearly all issue a publication to their membership, some of which are distinguished for the attractiveness of their design and illustration. While they concentrate upon the bookplate heritage of their own country, most welcome contributions about others on occasion. None, however, undertakes what this journal hopes to address: an international perspective on an international movement.

It is a perspective which we believe needs to be addressed in two senses: a catholicity of concern for the universality of the bookplate community, both collector and designer; and attention to what might be called the "science of the bookplate" - its role in the social history of the book, its contribution to the development of design and print, its role in shaping and challenging artists over the centuries; its place in the auxiliary historical science, including the history of collecting, graphic arts, library science, bibliography, printing, calligraphy, heraldry, genealogy, art history, and book studies, amongst others.

In company with its fellow journals, Bookplate International aims to encourage bookplate research and design, but without according preference to any penchant, school, taste, or philosophy. All bookplates are of interest, in whatever medium or style. Regular features will include the profile of an artist and an account of a significant bookplate, complete checklists of bookplates designed by individual artists, lists of ownership or other marks of provenance, reviews of books, and the publication of bookplate documentation important manuscripts material or obscure printed items which enriches our understanding of the bookplate as a social phenomenon.

The title of the journal, Bookplate International, is not a fortuitous invention. It is adapted from the United States, more exactly from California, where from 1924 - 37 the Bookplate Association International organised the only permanent annual juried bookplate design competition in the world.

Participation was impressive as measured by quality and by representation of bookplate designers from throughout the world, even during the dark years of economic depression. This journal claims no descent from that movement, which died out when its organisers passed on; it merely expresses admiration for what was accomplished and entertains the hope of making an analogous contribution in its own way.