The Project Gutenberg eBook of American Book-plates, by Charles Dexter Allen.

about 1785. Among his pupils were Thackara, Vallance, and his nephew, Edward Trenchard, who became an officer in the United States Navy, and served in the War of 1812.

Trenchard was one of the owners of the “Columbian Magazine,” published in Philadelphia from 1786 to 1792, and he engraved many plates for its pages.

One signed book-plate of his is known,—the Bloomfield. This is a Chippendale plate of no striking features. The Luther Martin plate is so similar to this as to leave hardly any doubt that it too was by Trenchard.

James Turner is another of the early American artists of whom very little is known now. He was at one time in Boston, but later removed to Philadelphia. He did some portrait and some music work. Of his book-plate work we have but three signed specimens. By far the most interesting and valuable of these is the extremely rare plate of John Franklin of Boston in New England. This is very fully described in the List of Early American Book-plates. The other plates are the Sir John St. Clair, and the plate for Isaac Norris, of the family of the Quaker Chief Justice of Pennsylvania.

John Vallance, whose name is connected with that of Thackara, engraved with him many plates for Dobson’s Encyclopædia. He made heads of Franklin and Howard, which were pronounced successful, and he had a high reputation as an engraver.

One authenticated example of his book-plate work is known, the Joseph Wiseman, in the Ribbon and Wreath style; and the David Brearly, although not signed, is attributed to him.

Of the other engravers whose names appear on but one or two plates, no information has been obtained. There were probably many who had but a local fame, and who made but a few plates. Their names are remembered now in a way not expected at the time of signing them, undoubtedly.

In a recent article on Count Rumford, in the “New England Magazine,” it is said that, when a youth, he designed book-plates. No authentic examples of his work are known, and no information can be obtained concerning any.

Jacob Hurd, the father of Nathaniel, was a goldsmith of Boston, and his name is on pieces of plate in the First and Second churches in Boston, and the First Church, and Christ Church, in Dorchester. He very probably made book-plates, though no signed work is known. He died in 1758. He appears in the list of subscribers to “Prince’s Chronological History of New England,” as taking six copies.

In the “Boston Evening Post,” for March 4, 1745, the following advertisement appears:—

“Francis Garden, Engraver from London, engraves in the newest Manner and at the cheapest Rates, Coats-of-Arms, Crests or Cyphers on Gold, Silver, Pewter or Copper. To be heard of at Mr. Caverley’s, Distiller, at the South End of Boston. N.B. He will wait on any Person in Town or Country, to do their Work at their own House, if desired: also copper-plate printing perform’d by him.”

No signed example of this gentleman’s work has thus far come to our knowledge. It is fair to presume, however, that he engraved book-plates.

A LIST OF EARLY AMERICAN
BOOK-PLATES.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

Armorial. The Boylston arms; the shield enclosed within a garter, on which the motto appears,—Fidem—Libertatem—Amicitiam.

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.”

Pictorial. An eagle bears a broad ribbon, on which the word property is given; an oval frame encloses what resembles a row of eggs.

Simple name label: the printer of the “Aitkin Bible.” Philadelphia, 1782. The first American edition.

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.

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.

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.

Armorial. Chippendale. Hour-glass, books, globe, palette, and brushes, grouped above the escutcheon. Motto, Hinc labor et virtus. Of Philadelphia.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

Pictorial. The implements of the engraver lie scattered upon the bench: the name is given in fac-simile of the autograph.

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.

Pictorial. Exactly the same as the succeeding, with the exception of the change in the name and the omission of the engraver’s signature.

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.

Armorial. Chippendale. Motto, Probitas laudatur et alget. A New Jersey author. Illustrated in “Art Amateur,” April, 1894.

Armorial. Late Jacobean. Motto, Nemo nisi Christus. Eminent Episcopal divine, born in Boston, 1733; educated at Cambridge, and died, 1816.

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.

Armorial. Chippendale. Motto, Juste rem para. Flowers, and a huge bee in the decoration. Printed in blue ink. Born, 1741. Died in England.

Armorial. Chippendale. Motto, Esse quam videri. Signed, W. S. A pretty design, with the caduceus of Mercury introduced in the ornamentation.

32. Archer. William Archer, Powhatan. A plain label with the name within a type border.

Armorial. Chippendale. Motto, In Domino confido. Son of the Councillor; studied medicine in Edinburgh.

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.

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.

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.

Armorial. Chippendale. Motto-ribbon empty; bears some marks of being unfinished. Judge of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 1777-1791.

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.

45. Baldwin. D. Baldwin, Owner. An Engraved Label, the Words Being Within an Oval Wreath.

Armorial. Ribbon and Wreath. Motto, Semper caveto. Signed, P. R. Maverick. Sct.

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’.

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.

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.

A smaller and older plate than the others of this name, and showing the same figure 4, with rather wild mantling, and crest.

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.

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.

Plain armorial. (arms of Banester of Easington, County York, according to Burke). No motto. Of Virginia. Revolutionary soldier. Died, 1787.

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.

An engraved name label, with the all-seeing eye above the oval frame which encloses the name. The palm and holly are crossed beneath.

Armorial. Perhaps the plate of the capturer of Genl. Prescott (1777) in Narragansett Bay.

Armorial. Chippendale. Motto, Foy En Dieu. A second motto, J’avance. Celebrated Botanist of Pennsylvania.

Armorial. Ribbon and Wreath, Motto, Quo Fata Vocant. The heraldic drawing is poor and the charges are reversed. Born, Albany, 1773. Died, 1865.

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.

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.

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.

Armorial. Ribbon and Wreath. Signed, N. D. Sc. (nathaniel Dearborn). Of Cambridge, Mass. Scholar and Author.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Armorial. Plain. Motto, Malo mori quam foedari. Signed, C. P. Harrison Del. Sct.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Armorial. Ribbon and Wreath. Motto, Sine virtute vani sunt honores. Lawyer, poet, and historian; born in Maryland in 1757, died in 1823. University of Penn., 1783. Completed his studies in London. His chief work is the “History of Maryland to the Restoration in 1660.” An “Historical and Philosophical Sketch of the Prime Causes of the Revolutionary War” was suppressed; in this Washington was praised and Franklin depreciated. This same copper has been used more recently with the following words added: on either side of the crest, “John Leeds Kerr of Talbot Co. Md. 15th Jan. 1780, 21st Feb. 1844;” at the bottom, under the name of Bozman, “The Maryland Historian, 25th Aug. 1757, 20th April, 1823.”

Armorial. Ribbon and Wreath. Motto, Beata Domus, Custodita Sic Cuja Deo Domino Est. The shield, with its motto-ribbon and flowery ornamentation, seems to be held up by the winged female who grasps the portcullis of the crest. Below the shield a patch of ground is strewn with books and writing material. A dwarfed weeping willow bends mournfully at the left. Signed on an unrolled sheet of paper, Maverick Scp. Was a prisoner in a sugar-house in New York during the Revolutionary War, which suggested the crest; he had no right to the arms.

103. Brazer. John Brazer. Plain armorial. Shaded mantling. Motto, Try. Of Salem, Mass.

Armorial. Ribbon and Wreath. Motto, Honor virtutis praemium. A large plate; attributed to Vallance. Jurist, of Trenton, N.J. A brave officer in the Revolution.

105. Bridgen. Charles Bridgen. Plain armorial. Motto, Probitate et industria.

Plain armorial. Impaling Gilbert. Arms closely surrounded by a garter on which the name appears. Motto below, Deus dux certus. Of Virginia.

Armorial. Ribbon and Wreath. Motto, Sustinere. Signed, A. D. (Amos Doolittle).

Plain armorial. Motto, Patria cara, carior libertas. Signed, C. P. H. St. Lawyer, of Philadelphia.

Pictorial. The interior of a library is depicted, within an oval frame which is ornamented above with a ribbon and a spray of holly; the name is given on the fluttering ends of the ribbon. The central portion of the library is occupied by a couch, covered with striped cloth, on which a youth, dressed in the height of the fashion, reclines; a book is laid upon the convenient corner of the table, and he is reading from this; behind him the shelves of books are seen partly covered by a curtain; through the window are seen the nodding pines; the carpet is adorned with thirteen stars. The following lines are given below the frame:—

A LIST OF EARLY AMERICAN BOOK-PLATES.

A LIST OF EARLY AMERICAN
BOOK-PLATES.