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ex-libris THE WORLD OF EX-LIBRIS |
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A historical retrospective 1 EARLY PRINTED EX-LIBRIS 1470-1700 |
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1a EARLY HAND-COLOURED GERMAN EX-LIBRIS 1470-1586 |
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1a/9. ? (D)
 GABRIEL GLOCZER, X1/col. T, 108 x 66, c.1550.
Despite the ravages of bookworm, this ex-libris remains an out-standingly
beautiful, simple piece. The typography and composition
would tend to indicate an earlier date, but as it is a recent
acquisition, there has not yet been time to research it thoroughly.
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1a/10. ? (D) THO:W:I.V.L, X1/col., 94 x 66, c.1550.
Another mystery which needs investigating. The style would
indicate it to be slightly later than the previous plate, but such
inferences can be erroneous: often a more provincial plate can
appear earlier than its real date, and sometimes a dated plate can
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1a/11. Jost Ammann (CH, 1539-1591) MELCHIOR SCHEDEL,
X1/col., 354 x 240, c.1570. Viz. Zur Westen p. 30, ill. p. 43.
An exceptionally large and striking ex-libris by one of the greatest
engravers of the 16th century. Ammann well over a thousand
woodcuts, of which some 18 ex-libris. It was long thought that
this very rare work was not a bookplate, but just a heraldic
engraving. The manuscript library reference on this print, with-in
the cartouche of the owner’s name, clearly proves that it is a
bookplate. Originally made for Melchior Schedel, a later member
of the family painted the first name over and substituted his own,
Sebastian. Earlier in the Neumann collection and then in the
Hintze collection; for ten years it has now been in its present
location.
In 1991, it was exhibited in the DEG Centenary exhibition.
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1a/12. ? (D) ALEXANDER HOHENBUCH, X1/col. T,
136 x 82, c.1570. Viz. Severin, ill. p. 80
Colours as well as print quality in ex-libris are usually well preserved,
as the bookplates are rarely exposed to light. An
uncoloured variant exists of this ex-libris, with no typographical
inscription above the woodcut section or on the sides, but a six-line
verse below (Becker Coll.). This print was previously in the
Severin and in the Lee collections.
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1a/13. Jost Ammann (CH, 1539-1591) HALLER VON
HALLERSTEIN, X2/col., 106 x 72, c.1580. W742. Viz. L-W p.120,
WRBP ill. p.34.
The quality of engraving and composition of this plate justify
Ammann’s being considered one of the finest ‘Kleinmeistern’ or
masters of the small format. It is interesting to compare the style
of this plate, which is closer to the height of the German
Renaissance, with the Schedel, which still has the bold surfaces
of the early German Renaissance (1520-1560). This print was also
exhibited in Germany in 1991.
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1a/14. ? (?A) BISHOF MICHAEL, X1/col., 99 x 58, c.1580.
The latin inscription is formulated in a way which leaves one in
doubt: was Michael the Archbishop of Salzburg and legate of the
Holy See, or was he the legate of the Archbishop of Salzburg to the
Holy See? The rules of ecclesiastical heraldry may give us the
answer: bishops’ arms are ornamented with a green hat, cords
and six tassels; abbots, provosts and major religious superiors
may have the same, but black; only pronotaries apostolic and
prelates may wear red or violet hat, cords and tassels. An archbishop
would have a green hat, cords and ten tassels in four rows
on each side of the shield. The plate is therefore probably for an
apostolic pronuntius (legate) of the Archbishop of Salzburg to
the Holy See. Further research should result in identification of
the ex-libris owner with precision, and his dates in Vatican records
may give a clearer indication as to the date of the ex-libris.
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1a/15. ? (D) +? (B.S./E,D./S/F., BISHOF), X1/col., 87 x 65,
1581. W2261.
Warnecke registered this ex-libris as unidentified. Further research
from heraldic reference books (Rietstap, etc.) should lead
to identifying the owner of this ecclesiastical plate.
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1a/16. ? (D) +SEBASTIAN KNABECK, X1/col., 63 x 58, 1586.
An interesting example of a 16th Century dated ex-libris which is
found both with and without hand colouring.
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End of 1a
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