Book-Plates

A few words are, perhaps, needed by way of introduction to the present revised and enlarged edition of this work. Some slips of my own have been rectified, and there has been added a considerable amount of additional information, brought to light since 1893; for much of this I am indebted to the researches of Mr. Egerton Castle, Mr. Charles Dexter Allen, Miss Norna Labouchere, and Mr. Walter Hamilton, as well as to Mr. Fincham and various other contributors to the pages of the Ex Libris Journal. During the three years that have elapsed since the first publication of my book, the ranks of those taking an intelligent interest in book-plates have been largely increased; yet they have suffered some serious losses, and foremost amongst these must be placed the death of Lord De Tabley. That he died ere the completion of the promised new edition of his Guide to the Study of Book-Plates is a matter of sincere regret to every student of the subject; all we can now hope for is that Sir Wollaston Franks—the one man really capable of bringing out a new edition of Lord De Tabley's book—will some day undertake the task.