Open Collections

[Bookplate for Lachlan Gibb]

In black ink. This bookplate's design features an escutcheon with or (gold), azure (blue), and sable (black) designs, parted per cross and charged at the fess point with an additional coat of arms. The escutcheon is outlined by an ornate border and situated in the center of a rectangular frame, divided into quadrants. These sections feature a domed building, topped with a cross, a ship, three battle-axes and three beavers, respectively. The originator's Latin motto and name appear along the base of the frame. Above the rectangular design are two straight wreaths charged with a dexter arm vambraced couped, holding aloft a battle-axe and an eagle bearing a tilting spear.

Heraldry

Prints

image/jpeg

It seems likely that this bookplate belonged to Lachlan Gibb of Montreal. With Alexander and Edward Munro, Lachlan Gibb, ran the family firm, Gibb and Company (est. 1870), serving as tailors and haberdashers to a Montreal clientele. Members of the Gibb family remaining in England continued to operate the London tailoring firm, B. Gibb and Sons. The Montreal-based Gibb's family fonds is housed in the McCord Museum of Canadian History in Québec. It appears that the same Lachlan Gibb, was a passionate stamp collector. He is cited in Bertram W. H. Poole's work, 'The Postage Stamps of Canada,' as a 'well-known [authority] on the stamps of British North America,' and is also listed in 'The Dominion Philatelist' as a member of the Canadian Philatelic Association. The manuscript annotation on the recto of this bookplate is believed to refer to the Anglican, Montreal Diocesan Theological College (M.D.T.C.). The college is affiliated with the Montreal School of Theology and McGill University. It is not apparent whether there is any connection between Gibb, Whidlay [?] and the M.D.T.C.
References:
1) 'Gibb Family Fonds (P075).' McCord Museum of Canadian History. Montreal, Québec. Accessed on October 21, 2009 at http://www.mccord-museum.qc.ca/scripts/explore.php?Lang=1&tableid=18&tablename=fond&elementid=32__true
2) 'MDTC.' Montreal Diocesan Theological College. Accessed on October 21, 2009 at http://www.dio-mdtc.ca/
3) Poole, Bertram W. H. 'The Postage Stamps of Canada.' Boston: Severn-Wylie-Jewett, Co., n.d. Accessed on October 21, 2009 at http://www.archive.org/stream/stampsofcanada00pooluoft/stampsofcanada00pooluoft_djvu.txt
4) Canadian Philatelic Association. 'The Dominion Philatelist.' 4:37 (January 1892). Accessed on October 21, 2009 at http://www.archive.org/stream/domphilatel04canauoft/domphilatel04canauoft_djvu.txt

RBSC Bookplates

2010

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

CONTENTdm