Charles & Thomas Cheyne, London, England (90mm x 63mm, c.1790s). Courtesy of Filip Basic.



The Catalogue
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M
N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Explore the Collection
(Geographical, Topical & Contributors' Pages)

 

Anyone who handles old books will have come across these small and sometimes beautiful labels pasted discreetly (more or less) into the endpapers. Booksellers, binders, printers, publishers, importers, and distributors of books used to advertise in this way their part in bringing the book to market. Most of the earliest examples shown here belong to binders (e.g., the Marcus Ward ticket, ca.1841); these were a continuation of binders' earlier practice of sewing into the binding a small ticket with their signature.

This collection began with labels found in our own books, but now it is mainly a virtual collection -- each entry is digitally scanned from books found in the excellent research library to which we repair in our spare time. We must admit to having gone from "coming across" the labels in our book-browsing to actually searching for them. Contributors from around the world have added a wonderful diversity to the collection.

User note: Images here (and in the thematic pages) link to the label in the alphabetical catalog. Label images in the alphabetical catalog link to larger images. Higher resolution images may be had by contacting us. We also welcome comments and suggestions, as well as submissions for inclusion in the collection.

Recent Acquisitions:

Filip Basic , of Croatia, contributes these beautiful examples, 1) from a late 18th century journal, 2) from an early volume of Sir Walter Scott's poetry, 3) a magnificent label from a Russian bookseller, circa 1808:

Charles & Thomas Cheyne, London, England (90mm x 63mm, c.1790s). Courtesy of Filip Basic. Valentine & Throsby, Walsall, England (20mm x 8mm, c.1820s?). Courtesy of Filip Basic. Alexander Shirev, Moscow, Russia (92mm x 58mm, c.1808). Courtesy of Filip Basic.



* * * * * * *


Shawn L. Ezell, of Midlothian, Virginia, sends an early B. Westermann label:

B. Westerman & Co., New York, New York (27mm x 19mm, c.1840s). Courtesy of Shawn Ezell.



* * * * * * *


David Neale, a contributor from Liverpool, sent the following labels:

Mylrea & Allen, Douglas, Isle of Man, England (20mm x 10mm, c.1888). Courtesy of David Neale. E.R. Roper, Bookseller, Scarborough, England (12mm x 15mm, c.1872). Courtesy of David Neale.
R. Harris & Son, Northampton, England (34mm x 8mm, c.1921). Courtesy of David Neale. James McKelvie & Sons, Greenock, Scotland (30mm x 8mm, c.1898). Courtesy of David Neale.
Westcott & Co., Valparaiso, Chile (inkstamp, 30mm x 25mm, c.1882). Courtesy of David Neale.



* * * * * * *


Thanks to Nicholas Forster for the following labels:

The Reader's Corner, Cairo, Egypt (26mm X 21mm, c. 1951). Courtesy of Nicholas Forster
S. E. Steer, Printer and Stationer, Woking, England (31mm X 9mm, c. 1902). Courtesy of Nicholas Forster. Taylor and Colbridge, Bookseller, Doncaster, England (32mm X 9mm c. 1927). Courtesy of Nicholas Forster.



* * * * * * *


New Zealand contributor Siobhan McCormack sent the following:

Angus & Robertson, Sydney, Australia (37mm x 15mm). Courtesy of Siobhan McCormack. Boans Book Salon [department store], Perth, Australia (15mm x 35mm). Courtesy of Siobhan McCormack. G.H. Bennett & Co., University Booksellers, Palmerston North, New Zealand (25mm x 10mm). Courtesy of Siobhan McCormack. The B.T.I. Bookroom [Bible Training Institute], Auckland, New Zealand (35mm x 12mm). Courtesy of Siobhan McCormack. New Zealand Bible Tract & Book Society, Dunedin, New Zealand (15mm x 10mm). Courtesy of Siobhan McCormack. South's Book Depot, Wellington, New Zealand (34mm x 14mm). Courtesy of Siobhan McCormack.



* * * * * * *


Mario Martin sent us some nice Argentinian labels:

Libreria Astro, La Plata, Argentina (50m x 16mm, c.1943). Courtesy of Mario Martin.
El Ateneo, Buenos Aires, Argentina (20mm x 45mm, c. 1957). Courtesy of Mario Martin. El Ateneo, Buenos Aires, Argentina (20mm x 45mm, c. 1958). Courtesy of Mario Martin.
Alejandria Libros, Mar del Plata, Argentina, (30mm x 50mm, c.2000). Courtesy of Mario Martin. Atlantida, Argentina? (34mm x 40mm). Courtesy of Mario Martin. Biblos, Azul, Argentina (33mm x 13mm, c.1959). Courtesy of Mario Martin. Librería Brecher, Mar del Plata, Argentina (45mm x 23mm, c.1997). Courtesy of Mario Martin. Librería y Editorial Cathedra, Buenos Aires, Argentina (62mm x 73mm, c.1980). Courtesy of Mario Martin.
Librería Cervantes, Mar del Plata, Argentina (20mm x 26mm, c.1965). Courtesy of Mario Martin. Librería Cervantes, Mar del Plata, Argentina (40mm x 13mm, c.1970). Courtesy of Mario Martin.
Casa Conforti, Mar del Plata, Argentina (inkstamp, 20mm x 13mm, c.1980). Courtesy of Mario Martin. Libros Don Quijote, Mar del Plata, Argentina (25mm x 33mm, c.1980). Courtesy of Mario Martin.
Libreria Erasmo, Mar del Plata, Argentina (inkstamp, 51mm x 23mm). Courtesy of Mario Martin. Libreria Erasmo, Mar del Plata, Argentina (inkstamp, 34mm x 11mm). Courtesy of Mario Martin.
Expolibro, Buenos Aires, Argentina, (50mm x 36mm, c.1982). Courtesy of Mario Martin.
Libreria Florida, Buenos Aires and Mar del Plata, Argentina (36mm x 18mm). Courtesy of Mario Martin. Galatea, Buenos Aires, Argentina (21mm x 45mm, c. 1961). Courtesy of Mario Martin. Galerna, Mar del Plata, Argentina (32mm x 32mm, c. 1995). Courtesy of Mario Martin.
Libros Gnosis, Mar del Plata, Argentina (38mm x 21mm, c.1983). Courtesy of Mario Martin. Libros Gnosis, Mar del Plata, Argentina (38mm x 23mm, c.1995). Courtesy of Mario Martin.
Casa Gonzalez Librería, Buenos Aires, Argentina (inkstamp, 27mm dia., c.1940). Courtesy of Mario Martin. Editorial Labor S.A.A., Buenos Aires, Argentina (28mm dia., c.1960). Courtesy of Mario Martin.
Magister Librería Científica, La Plata, Argentina (36mm x 19mm, c.1958). Courtesy of Mario Martin. Magister Librería Científica, La Plata, Argentina (36mm x 19mm, c.1956). Courtesy of Mario Martin.
El Monje Libros, Quilmes, Argentina (40mm x 18mm, c. 1986). Courtesy of Mario Martin. Organizacion A, Bolsa del Libro, Buenos Aires, Argentina (55mm x 65mm, c.1975). Courtesy of Mario Martin. Librería Paidos, Mar del Plata, Argentina (44mm x 20mm, c.1985). Courtesy of Mario Martin. Palacio del Libro – Librería Hachette S.A., Buenos Aires, Argentina (34mm x 22mm, c.1945). Courtesy of Mario Martin. Librería Proa, Concepcion del Uruguay, Argentina (inkstamp, 48mm x 28mm, c.1978). Courtesy of Mario Martin. Librería Rey Imprenta, Mar del Plata, Argentina (34mm x 13mm, c.1960). Courtesy of Mario Martin. Librería Salamanca, Mar del Plata, Argentina (inkstamp, 45mm x 13mm, c.1945). Courtesy of Mario Martin. Librería Sarmiento, Buenos Aires, Argentina (40mm x 20mm, c.1993). Courtesy of Mario Martin.



* * * * * * *


Dennis Muscovich sent us these, all from Fuller's & Birchall's in Tasmania:

alt=
A.W. Birchall & Sons, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia (27mm x 8mm). Courtesy of Dennis Muscovich. A.W. Birchall & Sons, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia (29mm x 8mm). Courtesy of Dennis Muscovich. Birchalls, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia (27mm x 8mm). Courtesy of Dennis Muscovich.
A.W. Birchall & Sons, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia (25mm dia.). Courtesy of Dennis Muscovich. Birchalls, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia (17mm dia.). Courtesy of Dennis Muscovich. Birchalls, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia (23mm dia.). Courtesy of Dennis Muscovich.
Birchalls, Devonport & Launceston, Tasmania, Australia (25mm x 13mm). Courtesy of Dennis Muscovich. Birchalls, Devonport & Launceston, Tasmania, Australia (16mm x 21mm). Courtesy of Dennis Muscovich. Birchalls, Devonport & Launceston, Tasmania, Australia (23mm x 7mm). Courtesy of Dennis Muscovich.
Birchalls, Devonport, Tasmania, Australia (inkstamp, 13mm x 4mm). Courtesy of Dennis Muscovich. Birchalls, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia (inkstamp, 42mm x 20mm). Courtesy of Dennis Muscovich. Birchalls, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia (inkstamp, 18mm x 5mm). Courtesy of Dennis Muscovich.


Fuller's Bookshop, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia (43mm x 11mm). Courtesy of Dennis Muscovich.
Fuller's Bookshop, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia (31mm x 11mm). Courtesy of Dennis Muscovich. Fuller's Bookshop, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia (21mm x 11mm). Courtesy of Dennis Muscovich. Fuller's Bookshop, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia (24mm x 13mm). Courtesy of Dennis Muscovich.
Fuller's Bookshop, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia (17mm dia.). Courtesy of Dennis Muscovich. Fuller's Bookshop, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia (29mm x 20mm). Courtesy of Dennis Muscovich. Fuller's Bookshop, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia (26mm x 14mm). Courtesy of Dennis Muscovich.
Fuller's Bookshop, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia (35mm x 11mm). Courtesy of Dennis Muscovich.
W.E. Fuller, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia (10mm x 13mm). Courtesy of Dennis Muscovich. W.E. Fuller, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia (26mm dia.). Courtesy of Dennis Muscovich. W.E. Fuller, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia (10mm x 13mm). Courtesy of Dennis Muscovich.
W.E. Fuller, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia (22mm x 12mm). Courtesy of Dennis Muscovich. W.E. Fuller, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia (22mm x 12mm). Courtesy of Dennis Muscovich. W.E. Fuller, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia (27mm x 11mm). Courtesy of Dennis Muscovich.
W.E. Fuller, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia (23mm x 13mm). Courtesy of Dennis Muscovich. W.E. Fuller, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia (28mm x 11mm). Courtesy of Dennis Muscovich. W.E. Fuller, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia (22mm x 8mm). Courtesy of Dennis Muscovich.
W.E. Fuller, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia (inkstamp, 28mm x 18mm). Courtesy of Dennis Muscovich. The Bookshelf, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia (38mm dia.). Courtesy of Dennis Muscovich. Twelvetrees Bookshop, Sandy Bay, Tasmania, Australia (16mm x 9mm). Courtesy of Dennis Muscovich.



* * * * * * *


Bibliography:

"It's the Ticket: Nineteenth-Century Bookbinding in the British Isles and the United States" (Mirabile Dictu #2, April 1998; Mirabile Dictu is the newsletter of the Bryn Mawr College Library.)

Larry Dingman, Booksellers Marks: An Illustrated Book (Minneapolis, Minnesota: Dinkytown Antiquarian Bookstore, 1986).

Harold C. Holmes, Some Random Reminiscences of an Antiquarian Bookseller. (Oakland, Ca.: Holmes Book Co., 1967). See also the Oakland Tribune article "Bookseller saves rare old labels" (4 Jan 1959).

Gary Kurutz, "Pioneer California Booksellers' Labels". Quarterly Newsletter of the Book Club of California, vol.43 (1978) pp.40-45.

Robert W. Mattila, "Booksellers' Labels". Quarterly Newsletter of the Book Club of Washington, vol.10 no.4 (1992) pp.11-13.

Marcus A. McCorison, Book Trade Labels at the American Antiquarian Society (Worcester, Mass.: American Antiquarian Society, 1973).

William Smith Mitchell, "Bookbinder's Tickets" The Durham University Journal Vol.XLVI.No.1 (New Series Vol.XV.No.1) December 1953, pp.1-4, plate. This article is online.

Reinhard Öhlberger, Wenn am Buch der Händler klebt (Wien: Verlag Löcker, 1999 [or 2000?]).

Piero Piani, Questioni di etichetta (Bologna: Libreria Naturalistica, 2002).

Jim Rainer, "Collecting Bibliophemera: Bookseller's Tickets" (Originally published in the Alcuin Society's journal Amphora.

Maurice Rickards, Collecting Printed Ephemera (New York: Abbeville Press, 1988).



Links:

James Burn & Co.: Signed Bindings, a website devoted to one bindery's labels.

Howard Prouty of ReadInk, an online bookshop, has some very nice bookseller labels, displayed here.

A Museum of Booksellers Labels at Plurabelle Books of Cambridge (UK).

Ephemera Society of America.

And thanks to Coudal Partners for including us in their Museum of Online Museums, where we've whiled away more time than we care to admit.



Our deep appreciation goes to the following individuals for their various contributions to this web project: Robert Behra, Jim Bisso, Ken Bosman, Charlie Breunig, Brian Busby, Benjamin Clark, J.C. & P.C. Dast, Carollyn Dieter, Larry Dingman, Sarah Faragher, Michael Floreani, Nicholas Forster, Donald Francis, Pablo Herrero Hernández, Lewis Jaffe, Leon Koll, Michael Kunze, Stephen Loreck, David Lowrance, Pierre MacKay, Albert Mendez, Mark Mohr, David Mostardi, Peter Christian Pehrson, Edouard Pinon, Howard Prouty, Jim Rainer, Pierre Rastoul, Bruce Shyer, Steve Trussel, Adam Walter.

The Catalogue
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M
N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Explore the Collection
(Geographical, Topical & Contributors' Pages)

(Back to Top)