knowledge. It is fair to presume, however, that he engraved book-plates.
[Illustration: “QUI CONTENTUS FELIX”]
A LIST OF EARLY AMERICAN BOOK-PLATES.
The following List of Early American Book-plates makes no claim to
completeness: indeed it is earnestly hoped and believed that time will
prove it to be quite incomplete: old plates new to collectors are
continually coming to light, and there is every reason to expect their
number to increase. We are persuaded that certain of the worthies of
colonial times used book-plates, although no copies are now known, and
that some future investigator will unearth these much-desired treasures.
Some plates will be found included which do not have a satisfactory
description: this is due to their not being seen by the compiler of the
List: correspondents at a distance cannot always send full details, and
without them it is better to attempt little in the way of description.
The aim has been to be accurate and as full as possible. There are
hundreds of simple name-labels which have no place here, but all
armorial examples which could be discovered are mentioned.
The plates are given in alphabetical order, and are numbered for
convenience in reference. As far as possible, the first line of the
description of each plate gives the exact wording of the original, with
its spelling and abbreviations: the mottoes also, as well as the manner
of signature, are given exactly as they appear on the original plate:
wherever throughout this List _italics_ are used, they denote the exact
language employed upon the plate.
1. ANONYMOUS.
Armorial. A very beautiful plate with French arms: a crown above
and military trophies behind the shield: French banners, cannon,
quivers of arrows, anchor, horns, swords, drum, tomahawks, bugle,
lances, etc. Signed, _Maingot delt. Maverick_, _Sct._
[Illustration: Richard C. Lichtenstein.]
[Illustration]
2. ABERCROMBIE. _James Abercrombie._
Armorial. Ribbon and Wreath. Two mottoes, _Vive ut vivas_, and _Meus in
arduis aequa_. Of Philadelphia, and mentioned in Boswell’s “Life of Dr.
Johnson.”
3. ADAMS. _John Adams._
Armorial. The Boylston arms. The shield surrounded by a garter on which
the motto is given,--_Libertatem amicitiam retenebis et fidem_. The
whole design surrounded by thirteen stars. Second President of the
United States.
4. ADAMS. _John Quincy Adams._
Simply the name rudely engraved and surrounded by a narrow line.
Probably the first of the J. Q. A. book-plates. Sixth President of the
United States.
5. ADAMS. _John Quincy Adams._
Armorial. Boylston arms. Ribbon and Wreath. Motto-ribbon empty.
6. ADAMS. _John Quincy Adams._
Armorial. The Boylston arms; the shield enclosed within a garter, on
which the motto appears,--_Fidem--Libertatem--Amicitiam_.
7. ADAMS. _John Quincy Adams._
Armorial. The shield is quartered, and bears in the first quarter a
curious specimen of home-made heraldry. The ancestors of the President
bore no arms, and in their place appears a stag standing at gaze before
a pine tree, while below in the water a fish, probably a cod, is
swimming; the whole design surrounded with thirteen stars. This was his
own invention. The other quarters bear the Smith, Quincy, and Boylston
arms. The whole shield is surrounded by a garter bearing the motto
_Fidem, Libertatem, Amicitiam retinebis_. From “Tacitus.”
8. AGAR. _Property, Lydia Agar. 1806._
Pictorial. An eagle bears a broad ribbon, on which the word _property_
is given; an oval frame encloses what resembles a row of eggs.
9. AGNEW. _James Agnew, Esq._
Armorial. Chippendale. Motto, _Consilio non impetu_. Attributed to
Maverick.
10. AITKIN. _Robert Aitkin._
Simple name label: the printer of the “Aitkin Bible.” Philadelphia,
1782. The first American edition.
11. ALBANY. _Albany Society Library. 1759._
A peculiar plate something in the shape of the figure 8, with
intertwining foliations above and at the sides. The upper part of the
frame is the larger, and contains a spirited illustration of an Indian
in ambush aiming an arrow at a leaping fox. On the frame surrounding
this is the motto, _May concord prevail and the undertakeing prosper_.
In the lower and smaller part is depicted a prim man, bewigged and
ruffled, with an open book in his hand; presumably a patron of the
Library. Very little can be learned concerning this early Library. It
was probably interrupted by the Revolution. Some of its books are in the
New York State Library.
12. ALLAN. _John Allan._
Pictorial. An open book, across the pages of which is printed the name
of the owner. Behind all an anchor. This is the plate of the old book
collector of New York City.
13. ALLEN. _John Allen._
Armorial. Jacobean. Motto, _Law & Right_. This is believed to be the
plate used by John Allen, an early bookseller of Boston. He published
the “News-Letter.” From the general design and the crude engraving, it
must be taken for early American work: circa 1720. Illustrated in
“Curio,” page 15.
14. ALLISON. _Joseph J. Allison._
Armorial. Chippendale. Hour-glass, books, globe, palette, and brushes,
grouped above the escutcheon. Motto, _Hinc labor et virtus_. Of
Philadelphia.
15. ALSOP. _Richard Alsop._
Armorial. Belongs to no particular style, although the ornamentation is
of Chippendale tendency. Beneath the shield, at either side, stands a
cupid holding out a bunch of arrows: the drawing of these figures is not
above criticism: they seem to have one arm each, and but one wing also.
A Connecticut poet. Born, 1761; died, 1815. One of the famous “Hartford
Wits.”
16. AMBLER. Armorial. Of Virginia.
17. AMERICAN. _American Academy of Arts and Sciences. MDCCLXX._
A very handsome plate, having a large curtain looped back by ribbons and
cords, whereon to record the name of the giver of books to the library,
and above this an oval vignette representing Minerva with shield and
spear in hand, and helmet on her head, standing upon the sea-shore (of
Massachusetts), watching a three-master which sails far away under a
glaring sun and a heavy cloud: through a corn-field and then through the
woods lies the path to the distant village whose roofs can be seen: on
the sand about the goddess lie scattered the scientific and agricultural
implements, the uses of which it was the function of the Academy to
teach. The Academy was instituted in 1779. Very good engraving but not
so good drawing. The work is attributed to Callender.
18. ANDERSON. _Alexr. Anderson._
Armorial. Chippendale. Motto, _Vigila_. Signed, _A. Anderson, Sculp._
The original plate had only the last name engraved; the first name was
added afterwards and evidently by a different hand. This plate is
sometimes found with the name of his brother, John, written in before
the family name, indicating perhaps that the plate was designed for the
general use of the family. This is the plate of Dr. Anderson, the first
engraver in wood in America.
19. ANDOVER. _Institutio Theologica Andover. Fundata MDCCCVII._
A severely plain pediment, raised upon Doric columns, bearing on the
architrave the name. A blaze of glory above has in the centre the words,
יהוה. Similar rays shine over the open Bible at the foot, on which is
written, PS. CXIX, 169, and JOH. XVII, 17. On the base are the words,
ΑΚΟΓΩΝΙ ΣΟΥ ΧΡΙΚΤΟΥ.
20. ANDREW. _John Andrew._
Pictorial. The implements of the engraver lie scattered upon the bench:
the name is given in fac-simile of the autograph.
21. ANDREWS. Armorial. Of Virginia.
22. ANDREWS.---- _Andrews._ (First name obliterated.)
Pictorial. The scene is out of doors and the sun rises in full strength
behind a long oval frame on which the name is engraved. A little patch
of earth, two well-grown trees, and scant herbage complete the
accessories. Signed, _Callender Sc._
23. ANDREWS. _Eliza Andrews._
Pictorial. Exactly the same as the succeeding, with the exception of the
change in the name and the omission of the engraver’s signature.
24. ANDREWS. _Henry Andrews._
Pictorial: representing Minerva, crowned, with spear and shield: the owl
sits upon a convenient pedestal. The name of the owner is put upon the
edge of the shield which the goddess rests upon the ground. Signed, _S.
Harris. Sc._
25. ANTILL. _Edwad. Antill. Esqr., A.M._
Armorial. Chippendale. Motto, _Probitas laudatur et alget_. A New Jersey
author. Illustrated in “Art Amateur,” April, 1894.
26. APTHORP. _Apthorp._
Armorial. Chippendale. Motto-ribbon empty.
27. APTHORP. _East Apthorp, A.M. Cambridge MDCCLXI._
Armorial. Late Jacobean. Motto, _Nemo nisi Christus_. Eminent Episcopal
divine, born in Boston, 1733; educated at Cambridge, and died, 1816.
28. APTHORP. _Jno. Apthorp._
Armorial. Chippendale. Motto, _Fari quae sentiat_. The same plate as the
one mentioned above as having the motto-ribbon empty. In this example
the name _Jno._ is written, and so is the motto.
29. APTHORP. _Thomas Apthorp._
Armorial. Chippendale. Motto, _Juste rem para_. Flowers, and a huge bee
in the decoration. Printed in blue ink. Born, 1741. Died in England.
30. ARCHDEACON. _S. Archdeacon._
Armorial. Chippendale. Motto, _Esse quam videri_. Signed, _W. S._ A
pretty design, with the caduceus of Mercury introduced in the
ornamentation.
31. ARCHER. _William Archer._
Armorial. Of Chesterfield County, Virginia.
32. ARCHER. _William Archer, Powhatan._ A plain label with the name
within a type border.
33. ARMISTEAD. _William Armistead._
Armorial. Of Virginia. Of Revolutionary fame.
34. ASHWELL. _Charles Ashwell of Grenada._ Plain armorial.
35. ASSHETON. _Ralph Assheton, M.D., Philadelphia._
Armorial. Chippendale. Motto, _In Domino confido_. Son of the
Councillor; studied medicine in Edinburgh.
36. ASSHETON. _Willm. Assheton Esqr. of Barbadoes._
Armorial. Chippendale. Very ornate. No motto. Began the practice of law
in Penna., and was afterwards described as “of the Parish of St.
Michael’s in Barbadoes, gentleman.” He was Provost-Marshal of Barbadoes.
37. ASSHETON. _William Assheton Esq. of Gray’s Inn, Judge of the Court
of Admiralty of Penn. 1718._ Arms, crest, and quarterings.
38. ATKINSON. _Theodore Atkinson._
Armorial. Chippendale. No motto. Signed, _N. Hurd. Scp._ This is the
same design that was used in the Wentworth plate, but is much better in
execution. The peculiar flow of water from the shell beneath the
escutcheon is caught in a bowl: the only instance. Secretary of the
colony of New Hampshire, 1741; Chief Justice, 1754; Major-General of
militia, 1769; delegate to Congress at Albany, 1754.
39. ATKINSON. _William King Atkinson._
Armorial. Chippendale: a copy of the preceding design. Motto, _Nil
facimus non sponte Dei._ Signed, _Callender Sc._ A noted lawyer of
Portsmouth, N.H. (1764-1820). Changed his name from King to Atkinson out
of respect to Judge Atkinson.
40. ATLEE. _Willm. Augs. Atlee Esqr. of Lancaster PENNSYLVANIA._
Armorial. Chippendale. Motto-ribbon empty; bears some marks of being
unfinished. Judge of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 1777-1791.
41. ATWOOD. _Harry Atwood._
Armorial. Chippendale. Very ornate; architectural and landscape effects
used. No motto.
42. AUCHMUTY. _Richard Tylden Auchmuty._ Plain armorial. Motto, _Dum
spiro spero_. Signed, _A & S_.
43. BACKHOUSE. _W. Backhouse, M.A._
Armorial. Chippendale. Motto, _Pax et amor_.
44. BACKUS. _Elijah Backus._
Armorial. Jacobean. No motto; name on motto-ribbon. Very crude
workmanship.
45. BALDWIN. _D. Baldwin, Owner._ An Engraved Label, the Words Being
Within an Oval Wreath.
46. BALDWIN. _Jonathan Baldwin._
Armorial. Signed by Callender.
47. BALDWIN. _Luke Baldwin._
Armorial. Signed by Callender.
48. BALL. _Flamen Ball._
Armorial. Ribbon and Wreath. Motto, _Semper caveto_. Signed, _P. R.
Maverick. Sct._
49. BALLORD. _Wm. Ballord’s._
Armorial. Plain. No Motto.
50. BALTIMORE. _The Library Company of Baltimore._Simply the Name
Engraved Within an Oval Frame. Signed, _S. Allardice Phi_.
51. BANCKER. _Abraham Bancker._
Pictorial. An eagle bears aloft an oval frame which contains the large
figure 4 always seen on the book-plates of this family. A ribbon flying
from the beak of the eagle bears the motto, _Sublimiora petamus_;
beneath, a three-masted vessel, with homing pennant streaming, passes
half-submerged trees and a chain of mountain peaks. Signed, _Maverick
Sculp’_.
52. BANCKER. _Charles N. Bancker._
Armorial in style, but showing no actual arms. The shield is occupied by
a large figure 4, which is an old “merchant mark.” Chippendale. Puffy
cupids are seated on either side of the frame with accessories which
indicate the pursuit of science. Motto, _Dieu Defend le Droit_. Signed,
_Jones Sc._ Of Philadelphia.
53. BANCKER. _Charles N. Bancker._
A Chippendale frame enclosing the figure 4, and showing the same motto
as the above. Helmet, wreath and crest, the eagle’s wings erect, ppr.
Not signed.
54. BANCKER. _Evert Bancker, Junr._
A smaller and older plate than the others of this name, and showing the
same figure 4, with rather wild mantling, and crest.
55. BANCKER. _Gerard Bancker._
Chippendale. A cupid holding a globe converses with a companion, perhaps
about commerce and ocean currents; behind them a pyramid rises, and two
other cupids are consulting a plan. The figure 4 is again prominent in
this plate. Signed, _Dawkins Sculpsit_.
56. BANCROFT. _George Bancroft._
Pictorial. A chubby cherub approaches, with a panel in his hands on
which the words ΕΙΣ ΦΑΟΣ are given. Another plate, identical in all
other details, gives the motto, _Sursum corda_. Historian of the United
States.
57. BANISTER. _John Banister._
Plain armorial. (arms of Banester of Easington, County York, according
to Burke). No motto. Of Virginia. Revolutionary soldier. Died, 1787.
58. BARRELL. _Joseph Barrell._
An allegorical plate full of detail. In the centre is the shield with
the arms, while above the crest sits Hope with her anchor. As indicative
of Industry, a very trim female figure is presented, surrounded by
signs of prosperity, such as the beehive, palette and brush, and square
and dividers. In contrast to this a bare-footed, raggedly clad woman
with a dead fish in her lap, snails on her shoulders, broken tools
around her, and with every appearance of misery and squalor, is shown at
the left. The contrast between Thrift and Indolence is continued in a
second series of pictures below the shield. In these it is the begging
tramp and the erect, well-clothed gentleman who depict the moral.
Dilapidated shanties and well-built houses are also in contrast.
Mottoes, _Not always so--Indure but hope_. A rich Boston merchant. A
pioneer in the Northwest coast trade.
59. BARROLL. _William Barroll. Chestertown. 1795._
An engraved name label, with the all-seeing eye above the oval frame
which encloses the name. The palm and holly are crossed beneath.
60. BARTON. _William Barton._
Armorial. Perhaps the plate of the capturer of Genl. Prescott (1777) in
Narragansett Bay.
61. BARTRAM. _John Bartram._
Armorial. Chippendale. Motto, _Foy En Dieu_. A second motto, _J’avance_.
Celebrated Botanist of Pennsylvania.
62. BATHURST. Armorial. Of Virginia. See Burke’s “extinct Baronetage.”
63. BAY. _William Bay. M.D._
Armorial. Ribbon and Wreath, Motto, _Quo Fata Vocant_. The heraldic
drawing is poor and the charges are reversed. Born, Albany, 1773. Died,
1865.
64. BAYARD. _James A. Bayard._
The name well engraved within an oval wreath. The Delaware statesman,
leader of the Federal party, and one of the negotiators of the Treaty of
Ghent. Born, 1767; Died, 1815.
65. BAYARD. _Saml. Bayard._
Armorial. Chippendale. No motto. This is a very interesting specimen of
the debased Chippendale. As decorative features the following are used:
a large globe, quadrant, compass, sun-dial, beer-stein, and a little
landscape. The branches of the frame are made to support these objects
named. Jurist. Published books on law.
66. BAYLEY. Armorial. of the Eastern Shore, Va.
67. BEATTY. _J. Beatty. M.D._
Armorial. Pictorial. The shield rests against the bole of an oak, and
while the arms on it (Arg. a beehive surrounded by bees) are not given
in Burke, the crest appears in Fairbairn, with some changes. A globe,
open book, scroll, caduceus, and cornucopia of fruit complete the
accessories. Not a common type among American plates. John Beatty was
born in Pennsylvania, 1749, and died in New Jersey in 1826. Rose to the
rank of Colonel In the Revolutionary War, and was delegate to Congress,
1783-1785. Member of Federal Convention, and member of Congress.
Illustrated in “curio,” page 114.
68. BECK. _Charles Beck._
Armorial. Ribbon and Wreath. Signed, N. D. Sc. (nathaniel Dearborn). Of
Cambridge, Mass. Scholar and Author.
69. BEDLOW. _William Bedlow._
Armorial. Monogram B L at foot of arms. Jacobean. Motto, _My hope on
high_. Of Bedlow’s Island, New York.
70. BEETE. _Joseph Beete. Demerary._ Plain Armorial. Motto, _Fortuna
perit, honestas manet_.
71. BELCHER. (Anonymous.)
Armorial. Jacobean. Motto, _Loyal jusqu’à la Mort_. This is the plate of
the Colonial Governor of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, 1730-1741
(Jonathan Belcher). The arms are the same as borne on the plate of his
son Jonathan, except that this plate shows a label for difference. There
is also a shortening of the motto in the other plate.
72. BELCHER. _Jonathan Belcher E Societate Medij Templi._
Armorial. Jacobean. Very similar to the last. Motto, _Loyal au mort_.
Son of the preceding; born in Boston, 1710. Graduate of Harvard, student
at the Middle Temple, one of the first settlers of Halifax, N.S. Died
there, 1776. Illustrated in “Curio,” page 113.
[Illustration: William Belcher.
Savannah.]
73. BELCHER. _William Belcher, Owner._
Literary. A shelf of books enclosed within an oval
which bears the mottoes, _With welcome use--but
use with care. The wicked borrow,--but never
return_. Of New London, Conn., circa 1790.
74. BELCHER. _William Belcher. Savannah._
Armorial. Pictorial. A very beautiful engraving.
The shield rests upon the ground and is supported
by the oak tree which spreads over it; willows and
pines complete the little group of trees, and beyond
a stretch of water is seen. The motto, _Loyal au
mort_, is on the ribbon which flutters along the
ground beside the shield.
75. BEL-CHIER. _J. Bel-Chier._
Armorial. Jacobean. Motto, _Loyal jusq’ a la
mort_. Printed in red ink.
76. BERESFORD. _Richard Beresford, Charleston. 1772._
Armorial.
77. BETTS. _William Betts._
Armorial. Plain. Motto, _Malo mori quam foedari_.
Signed, _C. P. Harrison Del. Sct._
78. BEVERLEY. _Harry Beverley._
Armorial. Chippendale. No motto.
79. BEVERLY. _Robert Beverly._
Armorial. Of Virginia. Historian.
80. BEVERLY. _William Beverly._
Armorial. Signed, _J. Kirk_.
81. BLACKLEY _Absalom Blackley._
Armorial. Ribbon and wreath. Motto, _Utere
mundo_. Signed, _Maverick Scp._ The name supported
by two quills.
82. BLAKE. _Willm. P. & L. Blake’s Circulating Library at
the Boston Book Store._
An engraved label enclosed in an ornamental oval
frame. Signed, _S. Hill. Sc._
83. BLANC. _William Blanc. Middle Temple. Dominica._
Crest only. Motto on a garter enclosing the crest,
_Frangas non flectan_.
84. BLATCHFORD. _Thomas W. Blatchford._
Plain armorial. Motto, _Providentia sumus_. Signed,
_Wm. D. Smith sc._
85. BLEECKER. _Bleecker._
Plain armorial. A festoon of cloth behind the
shield.
86. BLENMAN. _Jonathan Blenman, Attoray, Genl. & Judge of
ye Admty. in Barbadoes._
A small plate, without motto, rather poorly engraved.
A little ornamentation of Jacobean
manner appears at either side, and the mantling is
rather profuse, but well above the shield.
[Illustration: Absalom Blachly.]
87. BLOOMFIELD. _Bloomfield._
Armorial. Chippendale. Rudely drawn books
used in the frame. Motto, _Pro aris et focis_.
Signed, _J. Trenchard_. Major Joseph Bloomfield
was a soldier in the Revolution, Governor of New
Jersey, Brigadier-General in War of 1812, member
of Congress, 1817-21. Illustrated in the “Art
Amateur,” April, 1894.
88. BOLLING. _Robt. Bolling Esq’r._
Armorial. Chippendale. Figures are used as
supporters which would appear to symbolize the
freedom of the Garden of Eden, and the learning
of classic Greece. Motto-ribbon empty; no crest.
Of Chellowe, Va. Illustrated in “Curio,” page 15.
89. BONAPARTE. _Jerome Napoleon Bonaparte._
A plain label, with an ornamental type border.
Nephew of Napoleon the Great. Born in England,
1805; died in Baltimore, Md., 1870.
90. BOND. _T. Bond, Surgeon._
Armorial. Chippendale. Signed, _W. H._ Native
of Maryland; 1712-1784. A distinguished physician
and surgeon of Philadelphia.
91. BOOTH. _Benjn. Booth._
Crest only. Autograph in a wreath under the
crest. Of New York, until the Revolution broke
out.
92. BOOTH. _George Booth._
Literary. A lighted candle and books in confusion
are placed upon a table. The name is
carved upon the edge of the table. On one of the
book-covers appears the Booth crest. An etched
plate.
93. BOSTON. _Shakspeare Circulating Library, Charles Callender,
No. 25 School Street, Boston._
A very curious old woodcut, with a large oval
medallion of the famous writer for whom the
library was named placed in the centre against a
rough rock background; the masks of Comedy
and Tragedy lie at the foot, and the hilts of foils
can be made out; a garland of roses falls at the
right hand, and the rays of the sun come over the
top. This is a rough engraving, very black and
indistinct.
94. BOSTON. _Social Law Library. Boston._
The name appears on a curtain looped up and held
by cord and tassel; above this a small oval encloses
a view of four waterspouts, each from behind a
rock; above this the circular frame encloses a hand
bearing a lighted torch; on the frame is the motto,
_Vestra cura alitur_, and the date 1804; a pile of
books above for crest, with _S.L.L._ on the cover
of one.
95. BOUCHER. _Jonathan Boucher._
Armorial. Chippendale. Motto, _Non vi sed
voluntate_. A Loyalist clergyman in Virginia, whose
estates were confiscated, after which he returned
to England whence he had come in 1754.
Published a tract on the causes and consequences
of the Revolution, and compiled a glossary of
Provincial and Archæological Words, which was
purchased of his family in 1831, for the proprietors
of Webster’s Dictionary.
96. BOUDINOT. _Boudinot._
Armorial. Ribbon and Wreath. Motto, _Soli Deo
gloria et honor_. Elias Boudinot, born in 1740,
in Philadelphia, of Huguenot extraction. Sided
strongly with the colonies in the Revolution, and
was President of Congress in 1782. A signer of the
Treaty of Peace. Died, 1821. This plate is not
signed, but it is the work of Maverick. Illustrated
in “Curio,” page 111.
97. BOWDOIN. _Honble. James Bowdoin. Esqr._
Plain armorial. Motto, _Ut aquila versus coelum_.
The same plate as the Bowdoin College, whose
benefactor he was.
98. BOWDOIN. _Bowdoin College._
Plain armorial. The arms of the Hon. James
Bowdoin are given with his motto, _Ut aquila versus
coelum_. The sun in splendor shines above the
crest, and the name of the college is engraved over
it. This college was chartered in 1794, and then
presented with eleven hundred pounds and one
thousand acres of land, by Hon. James Bowdoin,
son of the governor of the colony. By his will a
further gift was made to the college.
99. BOYLSTON. _Boylston Medical Library._
Plain armorial. The arms of the Boylston family
are given without ornamentation or motto. Signed,
_Annin & Smith_. Ward Nicholas Boylston, a patron
of medical science, gave to the medical school of
Harvard College a valuable collection of anatomical
and medical books and engravings, in the year 1800.
100. BOYLSTON. _Property of the Boylston Medical Library
Cambridge._
Armorial. The arms of the Boylston family are
given. Signed, _Callender Sc._
101. BOZMAN. _John Leeds Bozman. Esqr of the Middle
Temple._