May is “Get Caught Reading Month,” and though you can catch us reading pretty much every month here at The Huntington, we thought we’d acknowledge this month-long celebration of reading with a shout-out to the bookplate, that centuries-old book-marking device that has appealed to readers eager for a way to express not just ownership, but also a bit of individuality. Some of the most original and refined bookplates were produced during the late Victorian period when these customized labels enjoyed a huge surge in popularity.
In 1902, a limited-edition book entitled Women Designers of Book-Plates was published. This important work showcased the talents of a number of leading female artists and designers of the day. The Huntington’s copy is number 163 of the 400 printed. The book contains 35 woodcut bookplate designs printed one to a page on rich, deckle-edged paper. The images above are some examples from a few of these gifted ladies!
Which is your favorite?
The bees of course.
