Exlibris - a Small Guardian of the Book
An ex-libris/ex libris, is nothing more than a book's ownership mark in the form of a small sheet of paper with a graphic print, which is pasted on the inside of the front cover.
Ex libris Tadeusza Pasikowskiego (1973) by Kelma CzesławMuseum of Papermaking in Duszniki-Zdrój
Exlibris - what is its role?
By placing an exlibris in a particular book, we unambiguously signal that we own it - this is evidenced by a unique symbol or graphic and our name being part of it.
Ex libris mgr inż. Wacław Duda (1977) by Kelma CzesławMuseum of Papermaking in Duszniki-Zdrój
Where did this come from?
The term "ex libris," established in the 17th century, originated in Latin and means "from books." The first ex-librises in Europe appeared in Germany, Switzerland and Poland. The use of an ex-libris testified to the owner's special relationship to the book.
Ex libris Pilar Llobregat Conesa
Spain. 20th century. A branch with hydrangea flowers inserted in the center, between four books, set on the longer sides, forming a quadrilateral. In the lower right corner - a closed book with the owner's name on the cover.
Ex libris Pierre Roller
Belgium. 20th century. A lurking black and white cat sits on a tree growing from an open book. Between the branches of the tree's crown, letters form the word EX LIBRIS. In the book the name of the person to whom the ex libris is dedicated - Pierre Roller and the cat's eye.
Ex libris of Mariusz Włodarczyk
Ukraine. 20th century. Depiction of the bust of a horse in a colt, framed in a horseshoe shape delineated by an inscription identifying the owner. At the bottom the artist's signature reflected from the matrix, below the print the handwritten signature in pencil.
Ex libris W. Wiszkocsil
Austria. 20th century. A gray parrot with a red tail, sitting among branches, on whose branches is placed an inscription identifying the owner of the exlibris. Below the print is the artist's handwritten signature.
Ex libris W. Wiszkocsil
Austria. 20th century. Hazelnut (a rodent of the ash family), shown among hazel branches with nuts. At the bottom of the print, lettering elements identifying the owner of the exlibris. Below the print is the artist's handwritten signature.
Ex libris W.J.C. van Eyck
Belgium. 20th century. Depiction of a fox wearing a cap, holding a jewel box in front of him, from which valuables fall out. In the upper and lower parts of the print, inscriptions identifying the owner of the exlibris. On the lid of the chest the artist's signature.
Ex libris Pilar Llobregat Conesa (2nd half of the 20th century) by Cluselles EnricMuseum of Papermaking in Duszniki-Zdrój
Modern exlibris
This is often a motif indicating the personality traits of the book's owner - if we like cats we will gladly include this animal in our book mark, so that it wraps its tail around our name. Today, the design of exlibrises is one of the fields of artistic graphics.
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