ISSN 1833-766X SOCIETY BOOKPLATE AUSTRALIAN Forsale Editorial November2006 4 AucklandExLibris Society, bookplatesin Theworld ofcricket Notesandhappenings JamesFellows ProfileNo. 2: meeting TheSociety’s inaugural CONTENTS BernardHesling, c. 1930 forHarold Crompton by Designinpen-and-ink Email:[email protected] Telephone:029558 8449 DulwichHill NSW2203 5/70CanonburyGrove Keep Mary Designer/Secretary Email:[email protected] Telephone:029428 2863 RiverviewNSW2066 Sofala4 Ave FersonDrMark Editor/President

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collectors,bibliophiles, andothersdedicated artists topromoting bookplates

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Peake(SA) were coopted onto the Committee. Andrew and (NSW) Bastian Elisabeth whilst Committee, the join to offered (Vic.) Jewell Edwin and (NSW) SandersonSecretary. June Cardwell,Treasurer, Membershipasacting also Vice President; Mary Keep, Secretary; and Ronald ProfessorFerson,MarkPresident; Carter, Mike collectingbookplates. or studying owning, designing, in interest an bringtogethertoandform individuals art with contemporaryandhistoric a both aslibris) (ex bookplatespromote,and awarenessof,raise to agreedConstitution, theaims oftheSociety are canvassedfor the coming year. According to the committee appointed, and a number of activities meeting, was finalised, office bearers elected and Newsletter draftconsititution, which hadbeen provided in A 2006.October Sunday, 22 of afternoon the MacquariePhysicians,Street,onSydneyin of Edward CollegeAustralasian Royal thethe of RoomFord in held was Society Bookplate A meeting to officially form the New Australian RonaldCardwell, Mark Ferson; seated: Brenda Heagney, June Sanderson, Geoff Ford, October2006. Keep.Mary Present (from l-r), standing: Brad Stone, Mike Carter, James Fellows, InauguralEdwin Jewell,meeting oftheSociety attheRoyal AustralasianCollege ofPhysicians, , 22 h floig fie err wr elected: were bearers office following The numberandcirculated 2 priortheto TheSociety’s inaugural meeting involvement of artists and designers who have the whodesigners and artists involvementof from evident already is and formation, for official Society its to prior the months 12 approximately in up drummed been has dinner.annualSocietyanwebsite; Interest and a members; of bookplates original containing successful members; publication of a finely the printed booklet of Newsletter continuation include: 029558 8449. the Secretary at [email protected] or on [email protected] or on 02 9428 2863, or Presidentat thecontact should it, aboutmore hearing inSociety, theor joining interestedin Those Form. Application Membership and the of copy sample a comprisingavailable, is kitmembership a and aswell asNew South Wales. Australia, Victoria, and New Zealand, Societyhavebeenrecruited datefromtoSouth the of members prospective well, As period. short this in bookplates of variety a produced ciiis rpsd o te oig year coming the for proposed Activities The subscription has been set at $30 per year, pouto o a ietr of directory a of production ; NewsletterNo. Newsletter 3 ,December2006 Constitution , Designer profile But enough about me; here is James’ artist in the Sculpture studio on campus and No. 2: James Fellows statement: at home in Mollymook. My theme has been the bird flu, and I have developed In continuing to bring to general attention Born in Western Victoria, I returned to a body of work which recalls how sickness the work of contemporary Australian artists live in rural Dunkeld at the base of the decimated the Eora people in Sydney after producing bookplates, in this issue of the wonderful Grampian range. I put together the arrival of the First Fleet. Travelling Newsletter we feature James Fellows, who a body of work and held an exhibition of to Malaysia in September, and living originally made contact with me in February my work, all oils, featuring landscapes in rural areas near the Thai border, I through the website hosted by Stop Laughing at the Hamilton Regional Art Gallery was able to note and experience how This is Serious Gallery, Blackheath. James’s in 1973. From painting solely in oils, I closely these people live to their animals opening words included: progressed to watercolours, and revelled and birds, and to observe how easily in the light of the Tasmanian countryside, an outbreak could spread through such ... and I am keen to produce original art exhibiting at Ritchies Mill in Launceston. close contact amongst avian and human work in the form of Book Plates. Some In the Blue Mountains I completed a dwellers in the Kampongs. Not a subject months ago after showing my portfolio to series of black and white sketches for for a book plate though! Since coming a friend, an encourager, I offered to make a Lithgow alderman, featuring such to printmaking, I realise that my forte him an ex libris. Now I am excited to subjects as Collits Inn. I have exhibited at is the drawn line, and I look forward to find an article about your collecting etc in the Bandamoora Gallery in Blackheath, executing art works in this medium. the Sydney Morning Herald ... and more recently in a group show at the Project Gallery in Wollongong. I am Over the past year or so, James has produced Rather coincidentally James shares two currently completing a Diploma in Fine a number of bookplate designs: interests with me - bookplates (of course) Art from West Wollongong Institute of and less obviously, bird flu, which is taking TAFE. My sketch books are never far For Mr Frank Barr, a retired teacher a lot of my work time and that of many from me, and this year as a major I and avid fan, and with a fine public health colleagues around the world. have been studying and producing works appreciation for good wine, a bookplate

Aquatint design for Frank Barr by James Fellows, Aquatint design for Jed Merton by James Fellows, Mollymook, 2006 Mollymook (NSW), 2005

2 incorporating cricketers, a cricket bat bearing his name, and references to the grape. Printed on a zinc plate, etched and with an aquatint process involving seven separate acid baths.

For Mrs Colleen Barr, a retired teacher and keen gardener, a plate depicting her favourite rose, and buds. Similarly printed as above.

For my brother, William Fellows, mariner, a depiction of the barque ‘Polly Woodside’ a restored sailing vessel. William has an interesting collection of Australiana relating to wooden-hulled ships, and collects first editions of the works of Ion Idriess. This bookplate was also etched and printed overlaid with a colour roll.

For Jed Merton, a young man with a passion for the natural world, a depiction of an axolotl, which may not be anatomically correct, but does evoke his love of ponds and their contents. Etched and aquatinted in a sepia tone. Sample of ex libris wallpaper available from Lewis & Wood, Uley, Gloucestershire, UK

For Dr Peter Magnus, retired dental surgeon, a bookplate depicting a dragon fly, his hobby having been flying over Notes and happenings Bibliographical Society of Australia and water in a yacht and having a mate who Ex libris wallpaper New Zealand Bulletin is a fisherman. Etched and aquatinted, on archival paper, as indeed all my Those of you who are members of the A recent issue of this serial, which arrived bookplates are. Bookplate Society, meaning the one in the letterbox earlier in the year, has the based in the United Kingdom, will have official date of 2004, being volume 28, James would be pleased to consider received in the latest package containing the number 3. Irrespective of its date, it contains any bookplate commissions and can be Newsletter for June 2006 and the Bookplate an interesting article by Ruth Lightbourne, contacted by email on [email protected] Journal for September 2006, an unusual entitled ‘Bookplates, book labels, and or by post at 38 Valley Drive, Mollymook insert (see illustration above). Lewis & handwrittem inscriptions in a New Zealand Beach NSW 2539 Wood, of Uley, Gloucestershire, is selling colonial library’ (pp 62-77), which concerns ex libris wallpaper for GPB36.50 per roll. the marks of provenance in books acquired The rolls comprise a marbled background, by the New Zealand Parliamentary Library, Any bookplate designer wishing to be in one of three colours - green, beige or originally the General Assembly Library, the subject of a Designer profile or to antique - with scattered bookplates in founded in 1858. The article depicts 13 have work reproduced in the Newsletter the traditional armorial and trophy styles. armorial bookplates and two book labels, should contact the Editor on The bookplate collector who is keen on generally dating from the nineteenth century. 02 9428 2863 or by email. the traditional, and has everything, may be The only name known to me is that of Sir The Society’s website may be found if interested in contacting Lewis & Wood at Stamford Raffles, founder of Singapore, but you go to www.stoplaughing.com.au [email protected] or viewing their students of British or New Zealand history and click on the Society link. website www.lewisandwood.co.uk will undoubtably recognise the names and

3 the signficance of the books described. 1940s collected cricket books. Prior to and exchanged books and bookplates. He Those of us who collect bookplates for his death a few years ago, his collection was a member of the Australian Ex Libris their beauty or artistry, sometimes forget was sold to the Melbourne Cricket Club Society from its inception until his death. that many have added interest as marks of where it remains today. When I first started In 1908, long before the Society came into ownership, and that those ones (if not all) collecting cricket books I met Mullins. He existence, he had an unusual design made should be kept in situ. was very warm, and encouraged me in my featuring a cricket scene with equipment, pursuit. He said in 1973, ‘If you want to a kangaroo holding a cricket bat and a be a noted collector do it right and get a koala poring over books (illustrated below The world of cricket bookplates bookplate.’ At that stage I was not aware of left). Clearly fascinated by koalas (as well as in Australia bookplates. Mullins gave me one of his and cricket), in 1910 he commissioned Norman By Ronald Cardwell, Sydney said that he was not aware of many serious Lindsay to design a bookplate featuring collectors who possessed a bookplate. I the ‘Lindsay Bears’, referred to by Bertram In Australia there are estimated to be around started making inquiries and found that Stevens as ‘Bill Bluegum’s Bookstall’1. The four hundred serious collectors of cricket none of the serious collectors possessed a earlier of the plates is hard to find, whilst books. Each year in Australia around 40- bookplate. I was told that Bradman, the the Lindsay plate appeared in many of his 50 books on cricket are published. The Melbourne Cricket Club and Sir Robert books, a considerable number of which Ashes cricket test series in 2006-2007 has Menzies all possessed bookplates. Alas, were donated to the significantly stimulated the publication this was not correct [Menzies owned two Cricket Association. of cricket books - some by well known designs, neither depicting cricket - Ed]. Ernest S Marks, the noted sports publishers, others are by private publishers The only bookplate that I did find in my administrator, whose book collection is or cricket clubs. early days of collecting was one owned by now in the Mitchell Library, had a sports Over the years there have been some the former NSW cricketer, George Garnsey. bookplate, a design from 1906 by H J serious collectors in Australia. Perhaps the He was the first of the big Australian Recknell of London2. It depicts a variety of most notable was Patrick J Mullins, a cricket book collectors. He communicated sporting equipment, including a cricket bat Queensland solicitor who from the late with all of the early English collectors and ball (illustrated below right).

Bookplate for George L Garnsey, 1908 Pen and ink design for Ernest S Marks by H J Recknell, London, 1906

4 Pen and ink design for Noel Pearson by , c. 1933 Garnsey’s design adapted for use by Ronald Cardwell

The only other bookplate that has has commissioned a bookplate to mark the From the Auckland Ex Libris surfaced is one for Dr , a collection. Examples include the Melbourne Society, November 2006 former NSW and Australian cricketer. He Cricket Club, which produced a plate for the By Ian Thwaites and Rie Fletcher, was a famous eye surgeon. His bookplate, collection bought some Auckland probably created in the late 1930s, depicts years ago, and the NSWCA which acquired cricket bats as well as his portrait. Some of the A H McLachlan collection by bequest. Bookplates have been a focus of attention his books were left to the NSW Cricket Recently there have been a few collections at some recent book auctions. At Association. sold that belonged to test cricketers. The Bethunes@Webb’s Rare Books auction held As time moved on I sought to locate auctioneers have had produced a simple on 22 November, a selection of 37 Hilda ‘cricket bookplates’. I was able to collect bookplate saying the book was ‘From the Wiseman plates fetched NZ$1500. At a bookplates from Lord’s, the MCC, the collection of ...... ’. recent auction held by John Cordy Limited C C Morris Cricket Library in America, We should perhaps pose the question. an assortment of 33 New Zealand plates famous English cricket book collectors and ‘Why are there so few cricket bookplates in realised NZ$850. These included designs the NSW Cricket Association. Today in Australia?’ It is perhaps due to the fact that for David Graham and R B Castle by E Australia there are only a few bookplates cricket book collectors are more interested Mervyn Taylor and plates for M B & Z V around. Cricket book collectors such as in collecting rather than in identifying Castle by William Main. Arthur Watson, a former first class umpire, their books with a bookplate. Perhaps the Other ex libris related items to be sold Dennis Coon, Ken Woolfe and the writer formation of the New Australian Bookplate at the Bethune@Webb’s auction included: of this article are the possessors of cricket Society will see an interest in bookplates for Pat Lawlor’s author’s copy of his Books bookplates. None of the State cricket the serious collector. I will certainly be and Bookmen (1954); signed and inscribed associations possesses bookplates with the encouraging my cricket book collecting ‘first off the press’, it was accompanied by exception of the NSWCA. Their plate is friends to seriously consider having a ‘cricket several related letters and bookplates, and a simple insignia composed of the NSW bookplate’. realised NZ$2100. An Auckland Ex Libris emblem in blue, white and red. [1] Bertram Stevens, ‘On book-plates and some Society member bid successfully for Patty An interesting aspect of cricket bookplates Australian designs’, Lone Hand, 1 Dec. 1910, Who Believed in Fairies (1928), a children’s pp xxxvi-xlvi in Australia is that where a collection of [2] Percy J. Marks, ‘Australian Jewish bookplates’, story by Dearmer MacCormac, published cricket books has been acquired, the library Jewish Herald, 16 Aug 1912, page unknown by Dent, London. It features charming

5 colour illustrations by Society stalwart Olive of his uncle A J Peake, and I am also grateful to come true, please become a member Lloyd (1900-78), designer of several etched to him for the thirty or so copies of the by sending in your subscription - the bookplates and well-known as a fashion bookplate which enabled us to provide a application form can be obtained from artist for one of Auckland’s much-loved tip-in to ‘subscribers’. Claude Dany of La either Mary or me (see contact details on department stories, Milne & Choyce Ltd. Maison du Livre suggested that describing the front page). The Australian Ex Libris Society Year Books the commissioning of a bookplate would for 1929 and 1935/36 once owned by interest readers, and subsequently provided FOR SALE Hilda Wiseman sold for NZ$150. the text and images which made this article Last but not least was our pleasant an original and enlightening contribution. I Christmas luncheon, held this year at must also express my thanks to Roy Howard, AUSTRALIAN Valentine’s Restaurant, Mount Eden. As they the owner of the felicitous design which was PERSONAL had done in previous years, Bob Langholm the subject of the article, for allowing us to BOOKPLATES by Andrew G Peake and Simon Misdale presented gifts to each use the material. I wish to acknowledge our member. Application forms to join the New New Zealand friends Mike Ferris and Rie A 216 page publication with Australian Bookplate Society were passed Fletcher for their Auckland report, and for details of over 5700 Australian round among members along with good the use of Mike’s design, and while I’m at it, personal bookplates. Illustrated wishes from Mark Ferson and the new thank Ian Thwaites and Rie again, for their with over 138 bookplates, with society. Afterwards everyone adjourned to Auckland report in the present issue. a further 44 original plates ‘Ellamore’, the lovely 1880s villa belonging The current issue seems to have tipped into the Author’s Special to Katherine Redshaw and Brendan Waters. acquired a cricketing theme, obviously edition. Case bound in dark There in addition to Christmas cheer and very topical in this Australian summer blue buckram, with the Author’s cake, etc. everyone took part in reading where the ‘Ashes’ competition between the Special edition in full leather. from Dylan Thomas’s delightful A Child’s Australian and English teams dominates The Standard Edition is limited Christmas in Wales, illustrated by Edward many a conversation. My thanks are due to 350 copies and the Author’s Ardizzone. Artist Ron Stenberg who had to Ronald Cardwell for the idea of a piece Special to 14 copies. drawn the iconic Auckland motif for the on cricketing bookplates and for both (The De Luxe edition is now out of print.) cover of our book 75 Years of Bookplates. producing interesting words and providing Standard Edition $A137 Auckland Ex Libris Society 1930-2005 said copies of his own bookplate, an adaptation Author’s Special $A330 that he and Edward Ardizzone had been of a design from 1908 for G L Garnsey. Postage & Packing free to members fellow members of the Society of Industrial You may be interested to note that the Artists and Designers in London. It really humourous bookplate for Noel Pearson Tudor Australia Press, 14 Tudor was a charming edition and it seemed as initialled A M was designed in the 1930s St, Dulwich, SA, 5065 Australia though we had indeed stepped back into a by Arthur Mailey who, as well as being a [email protected] bygone era where there was time for such cartoonist and journalist, played cricket niceties as reading aloud. This was a magical for Australia in the 1920s - oddly, he experience that was thoroughly enjoyed by shares a birthday with your humble editor, ooks and periodicals from all and a sweet end to a wonderful day. but 70 years earlier. Our irregular series B the Bookplate Society (UK). Good wishes to all New Australian on contemporary designers reappears in A member has reluctantly decided Bookplate Society members from their this issue and features James Fellows, who to sell his Bookplate Society material. Auckland friends. deserves grateful thanks for providing both Available are: an almost complete words and images, one of which is on a run of 46 issues of the Journal from volume 1, number 1 (March 1983) cricketing theme! $240 Editorial to the end of 2005, for ; an As always, huge thanks are due to Mary almost complete run of 80 issues of Keep, designer of the Newsletter (and the Newsletter from September 1984 Before I turn to the current, feature-packed now the Society’s secretary), for turning to December 2005, for $160; and issue of the Newsletter, I would firstly like to interesting raw material into an exceptional, 15 members’ books, for $300. acknowledge the contributors to Newsletter professional product. no. 2, a duty I was unable to discharge at the My final duty is to wish you Compliments If you are interested in any of these items, time because of a lack of room in an already of the Season and to hope all your bookplate- or wish to know more about them, please oversized issue. Andrew Peake provided a related and other dreams come true in phone the Editor on 02 9428 2863 or email [email protected] description and checklist of the bookplates 2007. And if you want the Society’s dreams

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