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Books about Ex Libris or Bookplates

Books about bookplates (ex libris) offer a glimpse into the history of book ownership and the art of bookplate or ex libris design as well. Primrose Hill Press is proud to carry a selection of books on the ex libris (bookplate) and its important role in the history of libraries and private collections as well as the lineage of books in general. From ex libris books detailing the development of engraving graphics in Russia and Europe to a definitive collection of North American bookplates, this collection of books about bookplates (ex libris) pays tribute to this unique art form and the gifted artists who pioneered the practice. Wood engravings and other bookplates are not displayed to scale. Please contact us for dimensions.

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cover of "Anatoli Iwanowitsch Kalashchnikow" by  Klaus Rodel containing a history of development of Russian engraving in honor of A Kalashnikov cover of the limited edition JAC Harrison: Artist and Engraver by Brian North Lee, an account of the bookplates by this important English engraver with numerous illustrations including 50 plates
By Klaus Rodel. Forlaget Exlibristen, 1991. In German, Danish and English. A history of the development of Russian graphics (engraving) with numerous illustrations produced in honor of Anatolii Kalashnikov's 60th birthday. The text provides a fascinating overview of the history of great Russian artists preceding and including Kalashnikov. Over 55 pages with stunning full and part page illustrations. Paperback.
By Brian North Lee. The Bookplate Society and Forlaget Exlibristen, 1983. A limited edition of an account of the bookplates by this important English engraver. Numerous illustrations including 50 plates and tipped in bookplate soft bound with paper wrappers. 135 pp.
Cover of The Bookplates of Robert Hancock, James Ross and William Bache,  a limited edition containing an essay by Brian North Lee on three 18th century engravers, including details on individual bookplates Cover of Ex Libris by Anatolii Kalashnikov, one of the finest wood engravers of all time, containing 500 bookplates (engravings), 47 of which are in color.
Ex Libris 500
Our Price: $14.95
By Brian North Lee. Exlibristen, 1986. Essay on three 18th century engravers, including details on individual bookplates. Limited edition (350 numbered copies) with numerous illustrations, stiff paper wrappers. 58 pp.

Temporarily out-of-stock.   By Anatolii Kalashnikov.Moscow:  Evrika, 1993. Kalashnikov RE (Hon), SWE (Hon), one of the most talented wood engravers of all time, designed more than 1,000 bookplates, of which 500 of his choice – 47 in color – are illustrated in this magnificent book. Kalashnikov as a man was larger than life, and this translated into his art, which was explosive, emotional, masculine, so essentially Russian in its depth and intensity. His bookplates occupy a central place in the international bookplate movement of the 1960-90s, each an admirable representative of the Russian national tradition in wood engraving yet embodying universal ideals. Hardback with dustjacket, 576 pp.

Cover of London Bookplates (engravings) by Brian North Lee, a limited edition of 600 copies, in which bookplates associated with London are annotated and illustrated in a comprehensive study. cover of the book Sherlockian Bookplates by W. E. Butler which contains more than 50 Sherlockian bookplates and discusses the overlapping world of bookplate collectors and "Sherlockians."
London Bookplates
Our Price: $15.00
Sherlockian Bookplates
Our Price: $17.95


By Brian North Lee. London: The Bookplate Society and Forlaget Exlibristen, 1985.  Limited edition of 600 copies. Bookplates associated with London are annotated and illustrated in this comprehensive study.  210 x 297 mm, 165 pp, red paper covers.

By W E Butler.Cambridge:Silent Books, 1992. Sherlock Holmes has inspired his own iconography in bookplate design and left his own mysteries. Illustrations of more than 50 ex libris (bookplates) classified as Sherlockiana.Hardback. $17.95
Cover of signed limited edition of The Russian Client, a legal thriller/espionage novel by Maryann Gashi-Butler The definitive work on the history of the bookplate in North America.
The Russian Client
Our Price: $20.00
American Bookplates
Our Price: $29.95
By Maryann Gashi-Butler. Primrose Hill Press, 2011. This provocative fictional legal thriller chronicles the fall of Soviet power and the rise of the Russian oligarchs through the eyes of ordinary people swept up in explosive times. The profound disturbance of existing societal norms which undermined Russian values in the 1990s continues to haunt Russia's relations with the West today. Was the latest Ukrainian Crimean conflict inevitable? Limited edition of 50 signed copies.


By W E Butler. London: Primrose Hill Press, 2000. The definitive work on the history of the bookplate in North America. The bookplate or ex libris is an accoutrement of every fine private and public library, indeed of all who treasure their books. American collectors have been fascinated by bookplates since the earliest days of colonial printing and have collected and commissioned them as part of the building of personal and public libraries. The heritage of American bookplate collecting and design is discussed and the biographies of more than 140 American designers are set forth in this book, together with mention of more than 800 other American artists of the bookplate. The author explains how one may commission a bookplate, how to form a bookplate collection and where to join societies dedicated to the subject. 155 pp. Hardback with dustjacket.