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Bookplate Challenge

by The Library of Congress

This album of bookplates (aka Ex Libris) features exquisite, tiny works of art that reflect the personal sensibilities of their owners. We challenge you to find portraits for these people and post them in the comments!

Our 25 examples of original engravings, etchings, and lithographs are from the Ruthven (pronounced Rivven) Deane Collection at the Library of Congress. Deane, a Chicago businessman, bird-watcher, and bookplate collector, compiled approximately 14,000 ex libris between 1910 and his death in 1934. The styles range from English Chippendale armorials to Art Deco. The subjects often contain references to universities, hobbies, favorite authors, places and pets.

Learn More

. Bookplates and bookplate collections described in the Prints & Photographs Online Catalog,

. Citations for publications about bookplates in the Library of Congress Online Catalog.

25 photos · 10.7K views

Edward Penfield, his book (LOC)

[Bookplate of Helen Louise Taylor, Cincinnati, Ohio] (LOC)

[Bookplate of Bella C. Landauer with "Lend a hand" motto] (LOC)

[Bookplate of Jack London] (LOC)

[Bookplate of Ornithologist Ruthven Deane, hand-colored by Mrs. Frank S. Hatch] (LOC)

[Bookplate of Newman Erb, railroad executive] (LOC)

[Bookplate of Charles Chaplin] (LOC)

[Bookplate of Rosamond Sturgis Brooks] (LOC)

[Bookplate of Frederic Remington] (LOC)

[One of four bookplate designs for English author, Mrs. G. Linnaeus Banks] (LOC)

[Bookplate of President Woodrow Wilson] (LOC)

[Two bookplates owned by artist Elihu Vedder] (LOC)

[Manuscript letter from artist, Elihu Vedder to Ruthven Deane, with original bookplate drawing] (LOC)

[Bookplate of archaeologist William C. Mills] (LOC)

[Bookplate of Spanish writer, Vicente Blasco Ibañez] (LOC)

[Bookplate of Anita Herriman Vedder, Rome, Italy] (LOC)

[Bookplate of artist Francis D. Millet] (LOC)

[Bookplate of English author, Mrs. G. Linnaeus Banks] (LOC)

[Bookplate of Charles P. Searle] (LOC)

[Bookplate of Buddy Lankes] (LOC)

[Bookplate of Fred E. Woodward, Washington, D.C.] (LOC)

[Bookplate of Woodrow Wilson] (LOC)

[Bookplate of Oliver Wendell Holmes] (LOC)

[Bookplate of Edgar Rice Burroughs] (LOC)

[Bookplate of English caricaturist Phil May] (LOC)