Why Do I Collect ?

Many years ago someone asked me why I collected . The question caught me off guard because
the person asking  did not understand why anyone would collect anything. There are no simple answers to such questions but I can tell you that every time I go on a bookplate hunt I feel invigorated, like an archaeologist starting out on a new expedition. It may take me three hours to find one bookplate (if I am lucky) during which time I've inhaled three carloads of book dust, but the joy of a find has never diminished..

Yesterday was no exception. I found two leather bookplates while visiting The Strand in New York City.
www.strandbooks.com   I am delighted to give them free publicity because over the years
I have found many exceptional bookplates on my visits. It sounds strange but I actually remember almost every bookplate I  ever got at the Strand for the last thirty years..

Here is what I purchased: yesterday
The red leather bookplate was was found within five minutes after entering the store
The paper version was already in my collection..The link below is to Mr. Auchincloss' obituary.in The New York Times
Louis Auchincloss was a  recipient of The National Medal of Arts in 2005.
If anyone out there recognizes the gate  on his bookplate ( perhaps at his former estate?) please let me know.
 I believe the second bookplate I found was used by Mary  LeCompte Du Nouy . She was married to
Pierre Lecomte Du Noüy the French Biophysicist and Philosopher .He and his American wife, the former Mary Bishop Harriman, lived in Paris under Nazi domination in the early days of the war, but escaped to the United States in August, 1942...It is not clear to me what the initials E.L. at the top of the plate signify...
It just dawned on me. perhaps it is an abbreviation for Ex Libris.


I have not received very many collector profiles yet  this year .If you wish to participate  please send me an email..

See you again next Sunday

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