This collection is located on-site.
This collection has no restrictions.
The collection consists of several sub-divisions, such as bookplates with a printed date (over 300 bookplates, 1587-1800), ecclesiastical bookplates of the 17th and 18th centuries, and a large group relating to Cambridge and Oxford Universities (mostly 18th century). Well represented are bookplates of libraries, starting with a German bookplate, ca. 1580. Among the library bookplates of some significance are large dated German bookplates of the Royal Library, Munich, the earliest being dated 1614, the bookplate of the medical library, Frankfort, 1676, representing the view of a 17th century library, and a large collection of early American library bookplates.
The main divisions of the collection are by nationality. The largest group is represented by English bookplates, from the late 17th to early 20th century. A large group of 18th century English bookplates is divided by style, armorial devices and period (Jacobean, Chippendale, etc.) The majority of the 18th century dated plates are of English origin. English plates by different engravers are grouped alphabetically, according to the engraver (over 650 plates).
The group of American bookplates has subdivisions such as American ladies, American lawyers, public and college libraries, etc. Among libraries of American colleges, there is an interesting group of plates of early student societies. An important group are American bookplates by 19th and early 20th century engravers in alphabetical order (over 900 bookplates). This includes extensive holdings of bookplates by E.D. French and J.W. Spenceley as well as proof plates and original pen and ink bookplate designs by S. Holyer. The Spenceley collection encompasses also a group of wide margined signed proofs.
The continental bookplates consist mainly of French, German, and Italian plates, with a relatively small number of examples from other European countries (Belgium, Holland, Hungary, Russia, etc.). The French bookplates represent the largest group of 17th and 18th century continental bookplates and also the very rare Rotta plate (1641). The Italian group is smaller than the French group, but of similar composition and quality.
The plates are mounted with a description at the bottom. On the back of the mountings, there is often additional information, such as significance, literature, etc. Box numbers are the original numbers from the Davison Collection. Skipped numbers are from boxes not received.
Arranged.
You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.
This collection is located on-site.
This collection has no restrictions.
Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Sam Schaefler bookplate collection; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.
Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
Gift of Sam and Katalin Schaefler.
Source of acquisition--Schaefler, Sam and Katalin. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1985. Accession number--m-1985.
Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Entered in AMC 11/29/90.
The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches for other collections at Columbia University, through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, and through ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.
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