29 JULY 1893, Page 24

Book-Plates. By W. J. Hardy, F.S.A. (Kegan Paul, Trench, and

Co.)—This is one of a series of " Books about Books." The subject, Book-Plates, has become a favourite excuse lately for research among collectors ; and the literature of the subject begins to grow. There was Lord de Tabley's " Guide to the Study of Book-Plates," published in 1880, a recent work by Mr. Egerton Castle on " English Book-Plates," and there is an Ex- Libris Society which prints a journal. The arrangement of the present book is, after a general introduction, to deal with English- book-plates in four chapters, then a chapter on German examples, followed by one on those of France and other countries, and another on those of America. Five more chapters deal with

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special points, and the book is amply illustrated.