Ex Libris - Jakow Berditschewski - V. Vassilenko

Ex Libris / Book Label / Bookmark / Bookplate

Ex libris by V. Vassilenko 

C3 Kiev 1984

Jakow Berditschewski (born in 1932 in Kiev) is a well-known Ukrainian-German bibliophile, Pushkin researcher, and one of the most important ex libris collectors.

handwritten signature on the reverse, dated and specified technique C3

Etching/aquatint
Year: 1984
Size approx.: 14 x 10.5 cm
Condition: in good condition commensurate with age, mounted on cardboard

An ex libris (from the Latin ex libris = "from the books [of...]") is a small, printed label that is pasted into 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 preceded by the words "Ex Libris", "From the library of", or "My book".
The design: In addition to the name, it usually displays artistic graphics, coats of arms, portraits, or motifs that reflect the owner's hobbies, profession, or personality.
The origin: The custom arose 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.