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RBSC Bookplates

[Bookplate for National Gallery of Canada Library by Alfred H. Howard] Howard, Alfred H.

Description

Burgundy ink on cream paper. Three young boys respectively engaged in painting, drawing and sculpting are enclosed by a large circle, at the center of which lies an open book. The entire bookplate is surrounded by a multi-layered border. The artist's remarque is in the lower right hand corner of the border.

Item Metadata

Title
[Bookplate for National Gallery of Canada Library by Alfred H. Howard]
Creator
Howard, Alfred H.
Date Created
1914
Description
Burgundy ink on cream paper. Three young boys respectively engaged in painting, drawing and sculpting are enclosed by a large circle, at the center of which lies an open book. The entire bookplate is surrounded by a multi-layered border. The artist's remarque is in the lower right hand corner of the border.
Extent
1 bookplate : relief printing ; 9.4 x 13.1 cm
Subject
Allegories; Books; Children
Geographic Location
Canada
Person Or Corporation
National Gallery of Canada. Library
Genre
Prints
Type
Still Image
File Format
image/jpeg
Language
Latin
Notes
Founded in 1880, it wasn't until 1914 that the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa commissioned a bookplate from Alfred H. Howard (1854-1916), for their art library. Born in Liverpool, Howard established himself in Toronto in 1876 where he specialized in armorial designs. He was elected a member of the Royal Canadian Academy 1881 and was influential on fellow artist J. E. H. MacDonald despite never having attended art school. Another version of this bookplate exists. It is identical in design except, it is enclosed by an additional decorative frame featuring a pair of estucheons, oak leaves and acorns, maple leaves, irises, abstract vegetation, a crown (between lion and unicorn), and a beaver. It is not clear whether the version depicted here was created contemporaneously to this original design or reproduced at a later date. An example of both versions may be found in the Phillippe Masson Ex Libris Collection at McGill University. That collection also contains Howard's own self-designed ex libris which consists of young boy painting within a circular frame. It is highly reminiscent of the top image of the boy painting in the National Gallery of Canada's bookplate.
References:
1) Gallery History (n. d.) National Gallery of Canada. Retrieved March 26 2010 from http://www.gallery.ca/english/2143.htm
2) National Gallery of Canada - Library History. Accessed on 07 April 2010 at http://www.gallery.ca/english/288.htm Stacey, Robert (1997).
3) Canadian Bookplates. Subway Books: Toronto
Identifier
BP MUR CAN I N385; BP_MUR_CAN_I_N385
Collection
RBSC Bookplates
Source
Original Format: University of British Columbia. Library. Rare Books and Special Collections. Thomas Murray Bookplates Collection. Leslie Binder. BP MUR CAN I N385
Date Available
2010
Provider
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
Rights
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
DOI
10.14288/1.0215608
Aggregated Source Repository
CONTENTdm

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Rights

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