Ex Libris - Mario de Filippis - Owl

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 ex libris, which ranks as one of the largest collections in the world.

handwritten signature on the bottom right (artist unknown)

Woodcut
Year: 
Size approx.: 11.5 x 7.5 cm
Condition: in good condition for its age, mounted on cardboard

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

The purpose: It protects valuable books from loss when lent out and shows who the owner is.
The inscription: It almost always contains the name of the owner, often preceded 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 owner's hobbies, profession, or personality.
The origin: The custom emerged shortly after the invention of printing in the 15th century, when books were still valuable luxury goods.
The techniques: In the past, they were mostly created as woodcuts or copper engravings, later as lithographs, etchings, or linocuts.