Open Collections

Bird, C.

The bookplate portrays a prehistoric scene shown from the perspective of a fur-clad man and woman looking from inside a cave towards a primitive wilderness scene (with stags and a mammoth). The image is framed by an assortment of artifacts, such as vases, swords, axe heads, flints, and other weapons. At the right bottom of the frame is a dagger with a flag inscribed with the initials "S.P.Q.R." an acronym for the Latin phrase "Senatus Populusque Romanus" ("The Senate and Roman People"). Below the picture is an open book on the left side of which is a shield and on the right side the bookplate text. The shield is blue with a gold chevron and three clams. At the top of the shield is mantling and closed helmet signifying esquire or gentleman. On the left side of the shield is a banner reading: "MENTE ET MALLEO."

Archaeology; Heraldry

Brown, John Allen

Still Image

John Allen Brown was a geologist and archeologist during the late 19th century. The prehistoric imagery portrayed in the bookplate refers to his dig in 1888 at Ealing (Thames Valley) in the Creffield Area where Brown found evidence of a Middle Palaeolithic tool factory (including remains of a mammoth).

RBSC Bookplates

2006

Images provided for research and reference use only. Permission to publish, copy, or otherwise use these images must be obtained from Rare Books and Special Collections: http://rbsc.library.ubc.ca

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