THE NEW AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY collectors, bibliophiles, artists and others dedicated to promoting Newsletter No. 51, December 2018

Editor/President The 37th FISAE Congress in Prague, 2018 Dr Mark Ferson 4 Sofala Ave By Andrew Peake, Adelaide Riverview NSW 2066 0401 141 890 The International Ex Libris Congress was held A very full social program had also been [email protected] in Prague, Czech Republic, between 28 August organised: a tram tour of the city, a tour of the Secretary and 1 September, at the Pyramida Hotel, Prague Castle and Strahov Monastery, smaller Bronwyn Vost walking distance from the Prague Castle. By tours to parts of Prague, a trip to Karlstein [email protected] the end of April there were 215 registrants, Castle and a post-congress tour to Marienbad. Designer but the final number grew to 544 participants, In addition to the tourist-type opportunities, Mary Keep one of the largest congresses ever. However, there were a number of exhibitions organised [email protected] my wife and I were the only participants from off-site, the main one being the exhibition Australia, and there was one attendee from of competition entries for which a book was New Zealand and two from Argentina for the published. The others were a retrospective of the southern hemisphere. As to be expected, the ex libris of Vladimir Schanek (1951-2018) at bulk of the participants were from Europe, Marienbad, and the ‘History of Czech ex libris although a significant number came from until 1945’ at the National Memorial, where China, Hong Kong and Turkey. A significant there was also a demonstration of lithographic number attending were practising artists with printing of a bookplate. over 150 ex libris artists exhibiting their art If anything, there was too much organised, work and accepting commissions. and the organisation to attend these functions

CONTENTS The 37th FISAE Congress in Prague, 2018 1 The Society’s Eleventh Annual General Meeting 2 The bookplate of Keith Hindwood, 3 July 1904 to 14 February 1971 3 A not so rough Diamond 4 Paper Contemporary presents: Lithographed bookplate by Vlastimil Sobota for the Czech Association of Collectors The secrets of bookplates 5 and Friends of Exlibris, 2018 Notes and happenings 6 www.bookplatesociety.org.au ISSN 1833-766X ISSN Editorial 6 was rather chaotic. In theory you were have a new website created and a whip- countries their export would be banned; required to pre-book and often pre-pay, around was made for the funds to do so. It also potentially if copies were sold the but nobody collected the tickets, and this was also decided that all ex libris societies artist could expect a trailing copyright culminated at the Dinner, held at the would notify the Executive-Secretary by the commission - Ed.] Staropramen Brewery, where too many end of December each year of office-bearers The next Congress will be held at turned up for the seating available. On the and their program for the following year, Churchill College, Cambridge, England, positive side the Pyramida Hotel was a large to enable timely publication on the FISAE over 12-16 August 2020. However, modern hotel, with good facilities with a website. New FISAE office bearers were the Bookplate Society has to secure the large exhibition hall. The Exhibition Hall elected for the forthcoming two years, with Congress venue and accommodation with is the ‘heart and soul’ of a congress, where Anthony Pincott of the (British) Bookplate a substantial down-payment due by the end all the action takes place. You can browse at Society elected President. of 2018. It is therefore imperative that if the tables, review the different techniques Probably the most important decision to you have an inkling of attending you pre- and styles of individual artists, negotiate be made was the adoption of ‘Guidelines for register at: http://www.bookplatesociety. a personalised bookplate for yourself, Commissioning and Exchanging Ex-Libris’. org/2020registration.htm exchange bookplates with other collectors This document has been debated over Failure to do so could well mean that and simply chat with other attendees. This a number of congresses but was finally the Congress is cancelled! The deposit is congress was an excellent opportunity to adopted at this meeting. However, it is quite small and it is at a venue where the primary commission a bookplate. Attending artists controversial, and debate upon it is likely to language is English! However, I would point were at the peak of their art form, excelling continue. This is because of the definition out that I have now been to five congresses in etching, engraving and wood cuts. I of a bookplate, and, at all, English has been one of the two haven’t seen this quality in these mediums primary languages spoken and in print. If in Australia for a long time, but it is still An ex-libris is a ‘mark’ or ‘sign’ of you are interested in bookplates, want to available in eastern Europe. A bookplate ownership intended or used to indicate meet like-minded aficionados, and have any can be commissioned in these art forms for the affiliation of a book or manuscript thought of having a bookplate created this 250-500 Euros for an edition of 50. to a particular person(s) or institution. will be the place to be in 2020. The Congress is also the opportunity It is by definition not a work of art for FISAE delegates to meet and make (and therefore the droit de suite does decisions. A number of important decisions not apply to an ex-libris), but rather The Society’s Eleventh Annual were made: the 2020 Congress will be held is intended to perform the utilitarian General Meeting in Cambridge, England, and the 2022 purpose of designating to whom a Congress in San Francisco, California. A particular book belongs. Whether an On 18 July 2018, at the rooms of Sydney decision on subsequent congresses was ex-libris design has artistic merit or Rare Book Auctions, the Society held deferred till next congress. Bulgaria put in is undertaken by a famous designer what must be deemed a successful Annual a last minute bid for the Congress to be is another matter, but this does not General Meeting with attendance of 15 held in Varna on the Black Sea, but they change the functional purpose of the members and friends, and lots of ‘buzz’ failed to do the initial planning to make a ex-libris. generated particularly by the two excellent viable bid. A decision was made to have a [If I recall correctly from previous talks after the of business. new FISAE website, as the previous website discussions of this topic, one reason for had been dormant for several years. The this definition is that if bookplates were President’s Report for 2017 Executive-Secretary was given carriage to to be identified as art works, in some After the excitement of 2016 when we celebrated the Society’s tenth anniversary with a successful Design Award, published an to Newsletter numbers 21-40 and sundry other activities, 2017 was a quiet year for the Society in comparison. Paid membership of the Society remained stable at 67, of which 56 covered the hard copy Newsletter and 11 the digital membership. We gained 7 by awarding gratis membership to the winners and runners up in the Design Award (and I The author with Czech artist, Heda Klobasova, in the Exhibition Hall, have to tell you, although ‘officially’ it is 37th FISAE Congress, Prague news for the next AGM, that several of

2 them have stayed on as paying members As has occurred in previous years, there on the occasion of the AGM. This was in 2018). was extensive discussion about what to followed by Bronwyn Vost’s entrancing talk In terms of the Society’s finances, an do to promote the Society and awareness on how Eirene Mort’s estate came to donate excess of receipts over expenditure led to a of bookplates, and on this occasion many to the Society the nationally significant set surplus of approximately $810, resulting in concrete actions were recommended, of album’s housing her almost 1000-strong a bank balance as at 31 December 2017 of summarised below: bookplate collection as well as a group of $2880. I would like to take this opportunity eight zinc line blocks for printing of her 1. Nick to convene a Subcommittee to to thank a number of members who explore options to promote the Society, plates (See Newsletter 50, pp. 4-5). made generous donations to the Society, including use of social media; The meeting was closed by the President’s increasing our largely subscription based thanking the speakers, members and friends 2. Mary and Mark to develop flyers based in income by a further 20%. the magpie themed card; for attending, and Paul Feain for again Our four issues of the Newsletter were graciously providing a wonderful, and well received and in addition to thanking 3. Brigitta agreed to distribute the flyers at suitably atmospheric, venue for the AGM. the National Art School, East Sydney; Mary Keep once again for her devotion to its beautiful design, I would like to express 4. Akky to pass contact details of a paper my gratitude to contributors Christine Bell, conservator to Bronwyn; Ronald Cardwell, Marie Larsen, Edith May, 5. Bronwyn and Mark to determine Neil Morse, Monica Oppen (who went arrangements for archival quality storage above and beyond by hand printing sheets of Mort collection donated to the Society; of bookplates to insert) Michael Taffe, 6. Akky and Ronald to advise regarding Peter Thomas, Bronwyn Vost and Jürgen possible funding sources for conservation Wegner; also Rhyll Plant for printing off and publication; large numbers of her charming Christmas 7. Akky and Mark to discuss possible magpie bookplate to include with the approaches to promoting bookplates/the Above: Ronald Cardwell speaking at the AGM, 18 July 2018, on cricketing December number. Speaking of bookplates, Society at the Paper Contemporary Fair, Sept. 2018; bookplates (M Oppen, R Cardwell) you will note the magpie theme of this Below: Bronwyn Vost speaking at the year’s AGM invitation card, and I would 8. Mark to speak with the Society’s web AGM, 18 July 2018, on the donation like to thank Rhyll for allowing us to support person, Ian Dalkin, re setting up of Eirene Mort’s bookplate collection use her bookplate and Edwin Jewell for a website subscription portal; (B Heagney, B Vost) permission to use the design for his wife 9. Bronwyn to contact the archivist at St Judi by Adelaide artist Lucy Timbrell. Catherine’s School, Waverley, to sound Thank you to Bronwyn for organising out possibility of joint exhibition and the May ‘show and tell’ held at the previous bookplate design competition; Annandale address of Sydney Rare Book 10. Mark to follow up with Adelaide College Auctions, for organising the AGM and of Art regarding students bookplate for her other activities which have served competition associated with Adrian Feint to raise the profile of the Society and of exhibition at Carrick Hill, Adelaide; which you will hear (and see) more later 11. Mark to explore with booksellers whether this evening. I wish to express my gratitude they are willing to promote the Society to the Society executive and committee, using links on their websites or other means; Ronald Cardwell and Nick Ingleton, both The bookplate of Keith of whom have excellent ideas which we just 12. Paul to explore potential for involvement Hindwood, 3 July 1904 to 14 need to find ways of turning into action. of the Society in proposed Sydney Rare February 1971 Book Week; and By Jan Taylor, Sydney Other Society business 13. Bronwyn to contact Mort executor Office bearers were returned for another to check whether Albums A-B can be Keith Hindwood’s trade or profession was located. year: President and Treasurer, Mark stationery and printing. He started his own Ferson; Vice President, Ronald Cardwell; After formal Society business was company, K A Wood Pty Ltd, Stationers and Honorary Secretary, Bronwyn Vost. completed, member and cricket book and Printers, in 1928, and ran it until Committee members also continued in pubisher Ronald Cardwell entertained handing it over to his son, Ross, in 1970. their positions: Mary Keep as Publications those present with stories of cricketing The business, however, was not his main designer and Nick Ingleton as Committee bookplates, and was kind enough to interest, which was always bird watching, member. distribute some items he had had printed or more accurately, ornithology. He was

3 take part in the scientific proceedings of Keith’s bookplate shows a Nankeen Night the Union.’ The letter informing him of Heron, also know as the Rufous Night his election concluded with congratulations Heron (Nycticorax caledonicus), drawn ‘on this well deserved honour’. He was by Neville W Cayley, indicated by the appointed Fellow of the Royal Zoological initials NWC at the bottom right of the Society in 1940 and of the RAOU in 1951; image. The overall design into which the was an Honorary Life Member of the bird illustration is fitted is by a friend of Gould League of Bird Lovers and held from Keith, the watercolour artist Victor R Watt, them a special gold badge for honorary indicated by the initials VRW at the bottom services rendered ‘during the past thirty of the entire plate. years’ (correspondence dated 1958); and was awarded the Natural History Medallion for 1959 by the Field Naturalists Club of A not so rough Diamond Victoria, whose Council remarked that ‘your By Michael Taffe, Ballarat lifelong work for Australian ornithology well merits this recognition.’ On Saturday 18 November I was to be the Keith Hindwood collaborated extensively guest speaker for the Historical Society at Pen and ink design by Neville W with Neville W Cayley in the preparation Daylesford, Victoria, and chose to make it Cayley and Victor R Watt for of What bird is that? (Angus & Robertson, pleasant day out for my wife and me. As I K A Hindwood 1931). In his Cayley says: ‘The was not required to speak until 2.00pm, we author owes a debt of gratitude to Mr ventured to that picturesque town where not just a ‘twitcher’ who liked to walk Keith A Hindwood … for his untiring help once I enjoyed browsing the secondhand around in the bush and tick off sightings. throughout the production of this work.’ book dealers, before those at nearby Clunes He studied the birds of New South Wales He also worked with Alec Chisholm and took our fancy for our weekend excursions. in depth and wrote extensively about Arnold McGill in the production of the We were not buying on this occasion you them. Over a period of forty-five years he revised and enlarged edition of 1958, and understand, as we are preparing to downsize either wrote, collaborated on, or revised the third, fourth and fifth editions. in the not so distant future, but I noticed at least 14 books, and penned over thirty Three other of his books worth a cream covered slipcase within which was articles, often illustrated with his own mentioning are The birds of Lord Howe a lovely clean book to match, calling to be photographs. He regularly gave talks to the Island (1940), The waders of Sydney (with examined. What delight, here was a small monthly meetings of the Royal Australian E S Hoskin, 1955), and The birds of gem titled on the spine, ‘Eve Bookplates - Ornithologists Union (RAOU) and other Sydney (with A R McGill, 1958). The Viner 1916’. My next mistake was to open organisations. He kept a card index of Lord Howe Island volume was the result this delightful little volume produced by recorded sightings of bird species, and of his 1936 honeymoon spent there with the American Bookplate Society a hundred other details of their habits, habitats and his wife Marjorie, which I suspect was years ago. It didn’t cost much, so into the movements, which was continued after his basically a bird-watching expedition. He hand it went and then another, The Bulletin death by his close friend and bird watching was also involved in books for a more Story Book, 1901, and then another and so companion, Ernie Hoskins. This index is general audience. Australian birds in colour on; the damage was done and we had to run a valuable resource which is now kept at is a small handbook with details of fifty to meet our destiny and fulfil our obligation the Australian Museum, Sydney. As well as interesting and attractive birds. Each double to the local historical group. writing about and keeping records of birds, page spread comprises a page of text and I cannot imagine, but hope that the he corresponded throughout Australia and a colour photo of the bird in question. It members gathered to hear my talk received the world. was first published in 1966 by Reed Books as much pleasure from my paper as I His deep knowledge of birds was and went through eight more editions. A received from the day out, as I had then to recognised in a number of ways. In 1930 portfolio of Australian birds is a showcase for hurriedly return to the bookshop to gather he was appointed Honorary Ornithologist the paintings of the bird and natural history more treasures. Both books mentioned were at the Australian Museum, ‘in recognition painter William T Cooper. It is a coffee purchased for their texts and reading pleasure, of your past assistance and work in the table book with 25 double-page spreads although I was looking forward to learning Museum.’ He continued in this position each consisting of a full page painting by a little more about George Eve as I had until his death. In 1938 he was elected a Cooper and accompanying full-page text by none of his bookplates. This small volume, Corresponding Fellow of the American Hindwood. It was published by Reed Books however, had a bookplate of someone not Ornithologists Union, giving him the right in 1968 and an American edition was issued listed in Peake’s Australian personal bookplates to ‘attend meetings, present papers and in 1970 under the Charles E Tuttle imprint. (Ex Libris), the standard reference to which

4 I refer when a new Australian bookplate Paper Contemporary presents: challenges me. Clearly the work was that of The secrets of bookplates Adrian Feint as his name was legible in the By Mark J Ferson, Sydney lower left corner. At this point I must add that, although I have a modest collection Among the activities discussed at the of a few hundred bookplates, I doubt that I Society’s 11th Annual General Meeting could be classed as a collector in the league was a talk on bookplates at the Paper of some members of this society. Contemporary component of the 2018 Imagine my delight to find the reference Sydney Contemporary art fair being held at I needed in the Newsletter of the New Carriageworks in September. This possibility Australian Bookplate Society, no. 42 back was suggested by Society member Akky van in 2016, in which I had a modest article. Ogtrop, who is also President of the Print Maybe I do qualify as a bookplate collector Council of Australia and coordinator of after all. There were two other bookplates of Paper Contemporary. Elizabeth Diamond, one by Adrian Feint, As the day approached, Akky indicated where Diamond’s story was outlined for that an appearance had indeed been us by Christine Bell. What a delightful arranged and she proposed that I share and informative little article, but how did Above: Pen-and-ink design by a bookplate workshop with printmaker this small volume collected all those years H P Dickins for A Harpley Bradfield Dianne Longley. Diane conducts the Agave Below: Watercolour ‘Epacris impressa’ ago end up in a rural Victorian bookshop, Print Studio at Trentham, Victoria, and, by H P Dickins (From E E Pescott, with its slipcase no less? Thank you, New Native flowers of Victoria, 1914) amongst other skills, is a letterpress printer Australian Bookplate Society. who has produced some relief bookplates The Bulletin story book was also using photopolymer plates. When I accompanied by a bookplate, but this contacted Dianne she was very keen for us time my trusty Andrew Peake ‘Ex Libris’ to work together to promote bookplates, supplied the answer. The book was signed and because she was already on duty at the by Arthur H Bradfield, and accompanied fair, our collaboration was a relatively simple by Bradfield’s bookplate featuring what matter to organise as we both seemed quite one assumes is the ship the Bradfields came happy to fly ‘by the seat of our pants’. to Australia on in 1847 and after whom On Sunday 16 September, my job was to the gentleman was named. Perhaps the bring along my cast iron book or copying Bradfields became caught up in the gold press, and although a bit on the heavy side, rush as the implements surrounding the Akky had arranged for me to be waved ship seem to indicate. Peake lists the creator through the vehicle security checkpoint so I of this bookplate as H P Dickins and lists could get the press to the Print Studio with four bookplates to this artist. Without a relative ease on the trolley which had been doubt this man was an artist and his delicate provided. wildflower paintings feature in several of the My only preparations were to gather some books in my collection. albums of both older and contemporary My book collection in the realm of bookplates, as well as some of my old horticulture grew many years ago with lino blocks, dating from the period 20-30 my desire to extend my grandfather’s years ago when I was actually cutting and horticultural books and restore his garden, printing linocut bookplates, so Dianne the ‘Champion Garden for the City of could actually demonstrate printing Ballaarat 1915-1918’. Whose works should from them. At the allotted time, I started be a feature of my horticultural collection talking about bookplates, in their historical but the illustrations of Herbert Peabody context and in modern art practice. After Dickins (1872-1963). Dickins illustrated his own work on orchids as well as E E Pescott’s Dianne Longley and Mark Ferson Native flowers of Victoria. An accomplished with one of Dianne’s bookplates artist, he also entered work in the Archibald relief-printed from a photopolymer Prize. Thank you again, New Australian bookplate, Paper Contemporary, Bookplate Society! Carriageworks, 16 September 2018

5 Left: Dianne Longley showing how to relief-print a bookplate, Paper Contemporary, Carriageworks, 16 September 2018 Below: Andrew Peake (r) receiving the Udo Ivask certificate of honour from Olli Ylönen, President, Exlibris Aboensis (Finland), 37th FISAE Congress, Prague, 29 August 2018.

this Dianne went on to demonstrate the inking of the lino block, running it and a leaf of paper through the copying press and the unbelievable magic of lifting the finished print from the block to see how the bookplate had turned out. A small audience of maybe 15-20 people of all ages free of charge, but only prints made using from Andrew’s book as having been sat spellbound as the process was explained traditional techniques of intaglio, relief and designed by artist and wildflower painter H and carried out. lithography will be accepted. The closing P Dickins. Continuing the natural history Paper Contemporary was great fun to date is 15 January 2019. Further information theme, I am grateful for the contribution be involved in, and a pleasure to induct an can be obtained from Marco Franzetti at by Jan Taylor, a friend of Bronwyn Vost, interested group into some of the secrets [email protected] on the rarely seen bookplate for her father of bookplates. I would like to thank Akky Keith Hindwood, a Sydney printer, whose Van Ogtrop and Dianne Longley for their first love was really ornithology. The design key roles in making this workshop happen. Editorial is a pen-and-ink drawing by his friend More information on Dianne’s work can be and collaborator Neville W Cayley, famed found at www.agaveprintstudio.com.au and Thank you to readers who congratulated author of What bird is that? www.diannelongley.com.au us on the achievement of 50 issues of The other feature in this issue is a the Newsletter and on the content which summary of the Society’s 11th Annual many found of unusual interest. This General Meeting, held last July. Apart Notes and happenings issue opens with what is now our regular from the usual business of membership, biennial contribution from Andrew Peake, finances and office bearers, this meeting Publications a faithful attendee at the FISAE Congresses, was distinguished by some great discussion representative of this Society and reporter on ways to raise the profile of the Society - UNESCO six. Sydney: State Library of of happenings there. And apart from my some of which are already in hand - and NSW, 2018; p. 10 thanks, I would very much like to repeat fascinating talks by Ronald Cardwell and Shows bookplate for Dorothea Mackellar my congratulations to Andrew for his Bronwyn Vost. And thanks to Ronald who [Thanks to J Wegner for finding this] award by the International Federation of has kindly provided copies of a unique Ex Libris Societies (FISAE) of the ‘Udo bookmark marking his talk on cricketing Competitions Ivask Certificate of Honour for outstanding bookplates to the Society’s Annual Meeting contributions to bookplate scholarship.’ for insertion with this Newsletter. 10th International Competition, Bodio Andrew has published a number of books I close by thanking all members and Lomnago, Italy of great value to the collector of Australian other readers for their continuing interest; The Bodio Lomnago Town Council in bookplates and he has intimated that he as I finalise copy for this number of the association with the Italian Ex Libris is hoping to update his Australian personal Newsletter in early December my hope is to Association/Associazione Italiana Ex Libris bookplates, originally published in 2000 actually post and email it on time before the is calling for entries in its 10th International and listing well over 5000 bookplates, by end of the month, but if those plans do not Bookplate Competition. This year’s theme producing an addendum to cover the over all fall into place, please show your usual is ‘Travelling with Marco Polo along the Silk 1000 bookplates that have come to light in patience with late running issues. Please Roads’ and the competition is open to artists the intervening period. also accept my best of wishes for Christmas from around the world, who will compete Speaking of Australian personal bookplates, or other traditional festivities as applicable, for two prizes in the category of the best Michael Taffe tells us of some recent a happy New Year, and to continuing our work of a non-Italian artist. Participation is discoveries including a bookplate identified beautiful friendship in 2019.

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