Ex Libris - Mario de Filippis - Arezzo

Ex Libris / Book Label / Bookmark / Bookplate

Ex libris for Mario de Filippis

Mario De Filippis (1939 - 2018) was a long-time restaurant owner in Arezzo (Buca di San Francesco) and a well-known ex libris collector. He possessed an extraordinarily large collection of approximately 130,000 bookplates, which is one of the largest collections in the world.

handwritten note: x1 and signature (unknown artist)

Woodcut
Year: 
Size approx.: 16 x 10.5 cm
Condition: in good condition for its age, mounted on cardboard

An ex libris (from Latin ex libris = "from the books [of...]") is a small, printed label that is pasted onto the inside of a book cover to identify ownership.

The purpose: It protects valuable books from being lost when lent out and shows who the owner is.
The inscription: It almost always contains the owner's name, often introduced by the words "Ex Libris," "From the library of," or "My book."
The design: In addition to the name, it usually features artistic graphics, coats of arms, portraits, or motifs that reflect the hobbies, profession, or personality of the owner.
The origin: The custom originated shortly after the invention of the printing press in the 15th century, when books were still valuable luxury goods.
The techniques: In the past, they were mostly produced as woodcuts or copper engravings, later as lithographs, etchings, or linocuts.