American Book-Plates

“To allure our desires, it unveils the sanctuary above, and discovers the glories and joys of the blessed in the Divine presence, by a light so strong and lively, that all the glittering vanities of this world vanish in the comparison, and a sincere believer will despise them, as one of mature age does the toys and baubles of children. To excite our fears he removes the screen, and represents the tormenting passions of the damned in those dreadful colors, that, if duly considered, would check and control the unbridled licentious appetites of the most sensual.”1

Reader, the book is in your hands, read, meditate, and then judge for yourself. May the Lord bless the instruction for your spiritual benefit. So will the good design of the pious doner be answered, and the Agents of his bounty have their desired reward.

676. Phœnix Society. Phœnix Society.

Pictorial. A large shield, heart shaped, encloses a picture of a large plantation, evidently with a considerable settlement on the rising ground; a stream meanders through the estate, and various kinds of crops are under cultivation; a little summer-house is seen at the end of a long path. A large curtain is draped over the shield, and a stag and a lion guard it at the foot. Under all, a tablet shows a second smaller shield quartered heraldically, and bearing a hunter’s horn, a right arm, a quill and roll of paper, and a twig from an oak tree on the four quarters; this is draped with a festoon of holly leaves, and a line in Greek impossible of translation is given above it. The meaning and use of this plate is mysterious. It came from Charleston, S.C.

677. Pickering. Henry Pickering.

Armorial. Crest only. Poet.

678. Pickering. John Pickering Junr.

Plain armorial. No motto.

679. Pickering. T. A. Pickering.

Armorial. Ribbon and Wreath. No motto. Possibly by Callender.

680. Pierce. William L. Pierce.

Armorial. Ribbon and Wreath. Motto, In futura spector. Signed, Maverick Sculpt. Of New York.

681. Pierpont. Charles Pierpont.

Armorial. Ribbon and Wreath. Motto, Manet amicitia florebit que semper. Signed, S. Hill.

682. Pierpont. John Pierpont.

Simply a name-label engraved on copper. Minister and poet of Litchfield, Conn. Born, 1785.

683. Pinfold. Charles Pinfold. LL.D.

Armorial. Chippendale. Motto-ribbon empty. Two different plates are known, but they are very similar.

684. Pinfold. Charles Pinfold LL.D. Governor of Barbadoes.

Same as above, with title added.

685. Pintard. John Pintard, LL.D.

Armorial. Pictorial. Signed, Anderson. The shield rests at the foot of a palm tree; an anchor lies behind it; the motto, Never despair, is given on a ribbon and the motto, Fais bien crains rien, is on the oval shield. The following line in Greek is also given, Κατἁ οχοχὁν ὁιωχω, while a fourth motto, Depressa resurgo, is seen on a ribbon floating over the top of the tree. This is a fine woodcut. Founder of the New York Historical Society.

686. Pintard. John Pintard.

Armorial. Ribbon and Wreath. Motto, Fais, bien crains, rien. Signed, Maverick Sct.

687. Poor. Benjamin Poor.

Plain armorial. Motto, Pauper non in spe. Father of Major Ben: Perley Poore.

688. Popham. William Popham.

Armorial. Ribbon and Wreath. No motto. Signed, Maverick Scp. Of New York.

689. Poulson. John Poulson’s.

A name-label printed wholly from type, the border being very elaborate. Signed, Printed by Zachariah Poulson Junior. Of Philadelphia.

690. Powel. Samuel Powel.

Armorial. Chippendale. Motto, Proprium decus et petrum. This is a better plate in execution than those made by Dawkins, and as it is almost identical with the John Morgan, M.D., plate, which is probably by Dawkins, it may have been his model. He seems to have copied freely from the designs of other engravers. This plate may have been the work of W. Smith, who engraved the William Spry. The Ryland Randolph, which is undoubtedly English in execution, is similar to all these and better than them all. Of Philadelphia. Twice mayor of the city.

691. Powell. Hare Samuel Powell.

Armorial.

692. Powell. John H. Powell.

The same copper as the Samuel Powell plate, with the name altered. Founder of Pennsylvania Agricultural Society.

693. Powell. Philip Powell.

Armorial.

694. Power. James Power of King William County. Price.

Armorial. Chippendale. Motto, Impavide. Of Virginia.

695. Pownall. Thomas Pownall.

Armorial. Book-pile. Motto, Videte et cavete ab avaritia. Luke. 12. xv. This is a typical “Book-pile” plate. The books are arranged in tiers, with the shield in the centre; globes stand upon the topmost books at either side; a scroll falls from under the shield and bears the name; the second motto is placed under all, The Wicked borroweth & payeth not again. Born in England in 1722; came to America in 1753; Lieutenant-Governor of New Jersey in 1755; Governor of Massachusetts in 1757, and of South Carolina in 1760; returned to England, entered Parliament, and died at Bath in 1805.

696. Prescott. William Prescott.

Crest only. Motto, Nil conscire sibi. Father of the historian. Lawyer and jurist.

697. Prescott. William H. Prescott.

Plain armorial. Motto, Non conscire sibi. Signed, A&S. The eminent historian.

698. Preston. William Campbell Preston.

President of South Carolina College from 1845 to 1851.

699. Price. Benjamin Price. Esqr.

Armorial. Jacobean. No motto.

700. Price. Ezekiel Price.

Armorial. Chippendale. No motto. This plate is not signed, but is undoubtedly by Hurd. It has the flow of water from the shell beneath the shield, the peculiar dash after the name, and resembles the Dering plate. Of Boston.

701. Pride. Halcott B. Pride.

Armorial. Ribbon and Wreath. Motto, Libertas. Signed, Maverick Sculp. Of New York.

702. Priestley. Joseph Priestley.

Plain armorial. Mantling. Motto, Ars longa, vita brevis. Of Pennsylvania. Philosopher, chemist, and theologian.

703. Prince. By the name of Prince.

Plain armorial. Signed, Wightman. Sc.

704. Prince. Thomas Prince Liber, Anno Domini: 1704.

A printed name-label surrounded by ornamental type. See illustration in “Curio,” page 12. Thomas Prince was pastor of the Old South Society (Boston) from 1718 to 1758. His library is one of the best known of colonial times; he began to collect books as early as 1703, as is shown by the following plate: “This book belongs to the New England Library, begun to be collected by Thomas Prince upon his entering Harvard College July 6th, 1703,” etc. The volumes were deposited in the steeple-chamber of the Old South Church, and suffered somewhat during the British occupation. The remaining volumes are now in the Boston Public Library. Illustrated in the “Ex Libris Journal,” Vol. III, page 152.

705. Prioleau. Thomas G. Prioleau.

Armorial. Ribbon and Wreath. Motto, Pax in bello. Physician. Of Charleston, S.C.

706. Proctor. Col Thomas Proctor, Artillery.

Armorial. Motto, Honor virtutis praemium. Colonel of Pennsylvania Artillery during the Revolution.

707. Provoost. John Provoost.

Armorial. Jacobean. Motto, Pro libertate.

708. Provoost. Saml. Provoost. Esqr. Coll: Pet: Cant.

Armorial. Chippendale. Motto, Pro libertate. Not signed, but undoubtedly by Maverick. This plate is earlier than the succeeding.

709. Provoost. Saml. Provoost.

Armorial. Ribbon and Wreath. Motto, Pro libertate. Signed, Maverick Sculpt. First Bishop of New York; elected, 1786. Consecrated in England. Illustrated in “Ex Libris Journal,” Vol. III, page 157.

710. Pruyn. Samuel Pruyn. Albany.

Pictorial. The scene is towards the close of day, by the side of the water; Orpheus sits upon a little knoll playing his lyre as he gazes up into the sky; the passing ship does not distract him, and the rising clouds and growing dusk are not observed. A very pretty plate. Signed, D. W. Wilson Sc.

711. Putnam. The Property of Aaron Putnam, Medford. 178-.

A printed label with the motto between the borders. Motto, The Wicked borrow, but do not return again; See thou art not of that Number.

712. Quincy. Josiah Quincy.

Plain armorial. Motto, Discretio Moderatrix Virtutum. A very fuzzy plate. The mantling comes well down the sides of the shield, and is blown above the helmet in very feathery form. An etching, with the name in fac-simile of owner’s autograph: in two sizes with no great dissimilarity, though the motto is not given on the larger one. The Massachusetts patriot.

713. Randolph. John Randolph Esqr of the Middle Temple London.

Armorial. Late Jacobean. No motto. The name and address occupy a double ribbon at the foot. Signed, BATH. I. Skinner. The copy before me is dated in writing, 1742. Of Virginia. This is the same copper that the Peyton Randolph was engraved on. The lower ribbon is added, and the name imperfectly altered. The old name shows through. Illustrated in “Curio,” page 64.

714. Randolph. John Randolph of Roanoke.

Plain armorial. Motto, Fari quae sentiat. Very pretty mantling. A second motto above the crest, Nil admirari. The Virginia orator.

715. Randolph. John Randolph Junr.

Armorial. Chippendale. Motto, Faro quae sentiat. A very handsome plate. The shield is oval in form and is raised upon an elaborate frame, trimmed upon its upper edge with a garland of roses, and with the shell-edging at the base; at the left a cupid is just coming into view, holding up the festoon of flowers as he comes. The motto is on a ribbon at the base, and the name on a small curtain whose ends are thrust through the scrolls of the frame. Of Virginia.

716. Randolph. Peyton Randolph. Esqr.

Armorial. Late Jacobean. No motto. Signed, BATH. I. Skinner. First President of Congress.

717. Randolph. Ryland Randolph.

Armorial. Chippendale. Motto, Fari quae sentiat. This plate is like the Powell and Morgan plates, but is superior to them in all ways; undoubtedly of English make. Of Virginia.

718. Raphael. B. J. Raphael. M.D.

Pictorial. A hand holding a surgeon’s knife; clouds about. Signed, Rohun and Com. Louisville. Ky.

719. Raphael. B. J. Raphael. M.D.

Pictorial. A skull and crossed bones. Of Kentucky.

720. Ray. Robert Ray.

Plain armorial. Motto, J’espère en Dieu. Of New York.

721. Read. Cha. Read of New Jersey, Esqr.

Armorial. Ribbon and Wreath. Motto, Nec spe nec metu. A peculiar plate: the shield is surmounted by highly rolled mantling from which lances depend at either side and suspend the motto-ribbon. Father of the Colonel Read who figured in the “Joseph Reed Controversy.”

722. Read. Wm. Read.

Plain armorial. The shield is fastened to a tree, the branches of which are made to resemble mantling, though there is no helmet. Motto, Indefessus vigilando. Of Maryland.

723. Reed. Catherine P. Reed. Saybrook, Conn.

A printed name-label with ornamental type border. On green paper.

724. Reed. Elijah F. Reed’s.

Literary. An exact reduced copy of the plate of Thomas Robbins, even the motto being identical.

725. Reverly. Henry Reverly.

Armorial. Chippendale. Signed, F. Kirk Sc.

726. Reynolds. Hannah Reynolds.

A name-label. The oval frame holding the name is festooned with flowers and wheat stalks; an urn rests upon the frame.

727. Richards. The property of Mrs. Sally Richards. 1794.

A plain name-label in an ornamental type border.

728. Rickets. William Rickets Esqr.

Plain armorial. Very copious mantling rises high above the shield, and falls low on either side. Of New York.

729. Riddle’s Library. J. Riddle’s Circulating Library. Shakespear Head, No. 74 South 8th opposite to Sansom Strt. Philadelphia.

Pictorial. A good head of Shakespeare is in the centre of the design; this copy is numbered 665, showing a fair-sized number of books.

730. Rivoire. Paul Rivoire.

Armorial. No motto. The family name was spelled thus in France, but was altered very soon upon coming to this country. It is strange that this spelling should come up again in a book-plate unless engraved by the owner himself.

731. Robbins. Philemon Robbins, His Book, A.D. 1755.

Printed label. Of Wethersfield, Conn.

732. Robbins. Thomas Robbins.

Literary. The name is given upon an oval medallion, above which rise the well-filled book-shelves of the owner. A curtain is draped over them, and sprays of palm are crossed beneath the oval. Under all is the motto on a ribbon, Nocturna versate manu, versate diurna. (Hor.) A Connecticut divine, who left his library to the Connecticut Historical Society. A variation of this plate places the name within an oblong frame with indented corners. Otherwise the same.

733. Roberts. G. C. M. Roberts. M.D. Baltimore.

Literary. A confusion of books upon a heavy board shelf. A lighted candle at one end; the name on the front edge of the shelf. Motto, Alere flammam.

734. Roberts. George C. M. Roberts. M.D. Baltimore.

Similar to the above, but no mott.

735. Robertson. Eben Robertson.

Plain armorial. Motto, Virtutis gloria merces.

736. Robertson. Eben Robertson. Kingston, Jamaica.

Armorial. Chippendale. Motto, Virtutis gloria merces. The man in chains below the shield.

737. Robinson. Beverly Robinson.

Plain armorial. Motto, Propere et provide. Of New York. Wealthy Loyalist concerned in the treason of Arnold.

738. Rogers. Fairman Rogers.

Plain armorial. Motto, Dictis factisque simplex. Illustrated in “Art Amateur,” May, 1894.

739. Roome. Jacob Roome.

Armorial. Chippendale. Motto, Virtute et fide. Signed, H. Dawkins. Sculpsit.

740. Roome. John L. C. Roome.

Armorial. Chippendale. Signed, H. Dawkins Sculpsit. At one side, a cupid flies a bird with a string tied to it, and on the other side his companion attempts the capture of another bird. A Loyalist lawyer of New York City. Circa 1774.

741. Rosseau. Rosseau.

Armorial. A large plate, with the shield upon an ermine mantle. Signed, Karst. A book-collector of New York City. His collection of book-plates passed into the hands of a member of the Ex Libris Society last year.

742. Routh. David Routh. His Book. Norfolk, 1762.

A label with the name within a double border of fancy type.

743. Royall. Isaac Royall Esqr of Antigua.

Armorial. Jacobean. Motto, Pectore puro. Of Massachusetts. Loyalist. Benefactor of Harvard College. This plate is very similar to the Belcher in shape and size. Illustrated in “Curio,” page 15.

744. Ruff. Joanna M. Ruff. Washington City.

Printed from type within a border of ten American eagles.

745. Rush. (Anonymous.) Rush arms.

Armorial. Chippendale. Motto, Miseris succurrere disce. Name-frame empty; name evidently erased. Probably the plate of the signer of the Declaration from Pennsylvania, Benjamin Rush. He is said to have destroyed all the copies of his plate which he could find.

746. Russell. Josh. Russell.

A simple name-label. The name, with the initials above it in a cipher monogram, is enclosed within a rectangular frame. This is a woodcut, and is the work of Anderson.

747. Russell. Thomas Russell.

Allegorical. Signed, Callender Sp. This plate is a copy of the plate of Joseph Barrell.

748. Rutgers. Hendrick Rutgers.

Armorial. Chippendale. Motto, Tantes da dir. Of New York City. Patriot and philanthropist.

749. Rutherford. John Rutherford.

Armorial. Motto, Nec sorte nec fato. Born in New York about 1760. One of the proprietors of East Jersey.

750. Rutledge. (Anonymous.) Rutledge arms.

Supporters, a collared lion and an American Indian. They stand upon the ribbon, which bears the motto, Progredi non regredi. Signed, S. C. Barnes & Co., Coventry St. Of South Carolina.

751. St. Clair. Sir John St. Clair Bart.

Armorial. Chippendale. Motto, Quo cunque ferar. Signed, Ja. Turner, Philada., Sculpt. Munitions of war are seen behind the name-bracket. Of Philadelphia. A British officer, associated with Braddock.

752. St. George’s Church. Library of the Sunday Schools attached to St George’s Church, established A. D. 1819. Presented by… No…

Above the words is a pretty little picture of a child on her knees reading from a book on a table before her. This plate is not signed, and seems to be better work than was done on the plate of the Teachers’ Union of this same church.

753. St. George’s Church. The property of the Teachers’ Union of St. George’s Church. Presented by… No…

An engraved label. No ornamentation beyond flourishes. Signed, Rollinson.

754. Salter. Richard Salter, Esq. Barbadoes.

Armorial. Jacobean. Motto-ribbon empty. The name is given on the looped curtain.

755. Saltonstall. Walter Saltonstall.

Armorial. Arms, Argent, a bend gules, between two eagles displayed sable. Crest, out of a ducal coronet a demi-pelican vulning herself.

756. Saltonstall. William Saltonstall.

Armorial.

757. Samuels. (Anonymous.) Plate of James Samuels.

Armorial. Chippendale. Motto, L’un Pour l’autre. Signed, H. Dawkins, Philada., Fecit. The hissing griffin, as in the Bushrod Washington plate, is given here.

758. Sargeant. Jacob Sargeant.

Armorial in form, though no real arms are shown. Chippendale. Motto, Cito pede praeterit aetas. Not signed, but engraved on brass by the owner. Of Connecticut. Some dated copies of this plate are about, but the date is not contemporary or correct. Also, the plate was not signed originally.

759. Sargent. Daniel Sargent Junr.

Armorial. Ribbon and Wreath. Motto, Nec quaerere honorem nec spernere. Signed, Callender Sc. Of Massachusetts.

760. Sargent. Epes Sargent.

Armorial. Chippendale. Motto-scroll empty. Signed, P. Revere Sculp.

761. Sargent. Winthrop Sargent.

Plain armorial. Motto, Fortior quo rectior. Of Massachusetts. Statesman and Revolutionary soldier.

762. Schuyler. Philip Schuyler Esqr.

Armorial. Early Chippendale. No motto. Major-General in the Revolution, and was, after the war, a Senator. Illustrated in “Curio,” page 110.

763. Schuyler. Samuel Schuyler.

Armorial. Chippendale. Motto, Semper fidelis. Of New York. Born, March 10, 1746; died, 1790.

764. Scott. Benjamin Scott.

Armorial. Chippendale. No motto.

765. Scott. Gustavus Scott.

Armorial. Ribbon and Wreath. Motto, Gaudia magna nuncio. A lawyer of Virginia. Died in Washington, 1801.

766. Scott. John V.

Armorial. Ribbon and Wreath. Motto, In God we trust. This plate is just like the De Witt Clinton by Maverick. The last name is torn out in the only copy seen, but the arms are those of Scott.

767. Scott. Winfield Scott.

Plain armorial. Motto, Amore patriae. Of Virginia. Famous General.

768. Scotton. John Scotton.

Armorial. Jacobean. No motto. Of Boston, Mass.

769. Sears. Sears.

Armorial. Ribbon and Wreath. Motto-ribbon empty.

770. Sears. David Sears.

Armorial. A knight in armor and an Indian for supporters. Motto, Honore et fides. Circa 1830.

771. Secombe. John Secombe his book 1729.

Name-label, with ornamental type border. Clergyman and poet. Of Massachusetts.

772. Sedgwick. Theodore Sedgwick Junr.

Crest only. The crest is given above an oval garter, within which is the motto, Confido in Domino. Publicist and lawyer of Albany, N. Y.

773. Selfridge. Thomas O. Selfridge Boston 1799.

Two fluted pillars are joined at the capitals by festoons of roses; the name is in the open space between them. A woodcut. Selfridge was the Federalist lawyer of Boston who shot Charles Austin.

774. Semple. Armorial. Of Virginia.

775. Seton. William Seton.

Armorial. Ribbon and Wreath. Motto, Hazard zit forward. Signed, Maverick Sculpt. Of New York.

776. Sewell. Armorial.

777. Sheppard. John H. Sheppard.

Armorial. Ribbon and Wreath. Motto, Nil desperandum. Of Massachusetts. Lawyer and author.

778. Sherman. Rev. Henry B. Sherman. M.A.

Armorial. Jacobean. Motto, Conquer death by virtue. A very peculiar use is made of the Jacobean features.

779. Shippen. Edward Shippen Esquire.

Armorial. Jacobean. No motto. Jurist. Descendant of Edward Shippen, the first Mayor of Philadelphia. Educated in London. Illustrated in “Curio,” page 110.

780. Shippen. Robertus Shippen. S. T. P. Coll. Aen. Nas. Principatis.

A reproduction of the above. Illustrated in “Art Amateur,” May, 1894.

781. Shubrick. Thomas Shubrick, South Carolina.

Plain armorial. Colonel in the Revolution. Illustrated in “Curio,” page 113.

782. Silvester. Peter Silvester Esqr.

Armorial. Ribbon and Wreath. Motto, Nec degener. Signed, Child Sculpt. No tinctures. Of New York.

783. Simpson. Jonathan Simpson.

Armorial. Chippendale. Motto, Lege et intellige. This plate is not signed, but is undoubtedly the work of Hurd.

784. Sise. The Property of Edward Sise.

Pictorial. An extremely rude home-made etching. A beautiful bird is resting upon a stunted tree; an ornamented oval encloses the scene.

785. Sitgreaves. John Sitgreaves of New Bern.

Armorial in form, but no arms shown. Ribbon and Wreath. Motto, Libertas et natale solum. The name occupies the oval space where ordinarily the arms are displayed. Books and writing-material are introduced below the frame. Signed, Maverick Scp New York. Member Old Congress. Revolutionary patriot.

786. Skelton. Reuben Skelton Hanover County Virginia.

Armorial. Chippendale. Motto-ribbon empty.

787. Skipwith. Fulwar Skipwith.

Armorial. Ribbon and Wreath. Motto, Sans Dieu je ne puis. Of Virginia. Of the family of Skipwith of Preswould, County Leicester. Baronet.

788. Smith. Smith.

Armorial. Jacobean.

789. Smith. Haziel Smith, Carpenter, New York. Deaf and Dumb.

A printed label, within a circular border. This mention of a physical infirmity on a book-plate is unique.

790. Smith. Hezekiah Smith.

Armorial. Late Jacobean. Motto, Beauty and Grace. An open book for crest, with the following Greek on it, Ἑρεονατε τας γραφας; the sun in splendor above it. Of Massachusetts.

791. Smith. (Anonymous.)

Portrait plate. Showing a young man holding a book, clad in the manner of the studious youth of the early part of the century. Beneath, the motto, Qui contentus felix. A very pretty bit of engraving. This was the plate of G. A. Smith, a book-lover, whose library was sold in New York City some thirty years ago.

792. Smith. James Scott Smith.

Armorial. Ribbon and Wreath. Motto, Ne crede colori. Signed, Maverick Sculp. Of New York.

793. Smith. John A. Smith.