Bookplates have been around since the late 15th century, but only really became common in England about 1700 when the engraver London William Jackson popularised their use.

They are interesting both as works of graphic design, and because they often provide valuable information about the previous owners of books.

Collection highlight

Bookplate of the Revd William Lucy
Charlecote Park, Warwickshire

©NTPL / John Hammond

This plate belonged to William Lucy, who spent much of his life as a country clergyman in Somerset, and inherited the great house at Charlecote in 1721.

In the two years left to him he seems to have reorganised the library, which was by then already a hundred years old.