What is a bookplate and why would I buy one?

People ask me when I tell them I sell bookplates, "What's a bookplate?" It sounds like some technical piece of equipment used in the making of books, doesn't it?

It's actually just a simple piece of paper with a design on it used to signify who owns a book. These days they usually come with a self-adhesive backing.

That's the short description. People also want to know why they'd want to stick a label inside a book. Sometimes they want to know what bookplate to buy for someone.

There is a little more explanation about what a bookplate is - what they are for, why people use them, how to select a bookplate, to personalize or not and what to do with a bookplate if you get one - so that's what I'm hoping to do here!

 Why give bookplates? Here are ten reasons...I'm sure there are more...

• Bookplates encourage reading - children love stickers with their names on them - give a bookplate along with a new book!
• Bookplates are an inexpensive gift
• Bookplates are thoughtful gifts, especially if you select well
• Bookplates will last for a long time - everytime someone sees the bookplate, they'll remember you!
• Bookplates can be very personal - if you have them personalized
• Bookplates remind borrowers to return books - so you're helping someone loan books, and helping them get them back!
• Bookplates identify ownership - so you may be helping roommates avoid arguments or pack up with ease.
• Bookplates identify ownership - so you may be helping a new couple with new names identify ownership of new books they buy together!
• Bookplates leave memories - donate a book to a library, a book in honor of a teacher, a book in memory of a loved one -- leave memories!
• Bookplates make a nice thank you - give a bookplate as a thank you for something nice someone has done - better yet, put it inside a book and give it to the person. 

Antioch Bookplate Company is finally gone

Yes, it is.. and it makes me feel very sad.   Although there are places on-line where you can still buy the bookplates, Ernest Morgan's little company is long gone.  Well, it's been long gone for a long long time. Many of the former workers - employees still hang out one way or the other - live and face to face, or on facebook - and get together for reunions.

Ernest's idea of a community based workplace run by the employees was a good idea, although it never really became quite what he dreamed. Still, a lot of us value the friendships or just the people we met there.  Though we might not all agree politically, socially, religiously on a lot of things, we managed to find ways to work together - we got a lot done.  Everyone took pride in the work they did, as they should have - we designed, produced, manufactured, sold, shipped some fine stuff.  The work ethic was excellent - I worked there for nearly 20 years, if you count my years in the field (I do) and even the couple of years I left and then returned.  Two of my sons worked there, one only as a temp but still...

The Antioch Publishing section is long gone, sold a few years ago.  The Creative Memories manufacturing that went on in the building remained until April of this year, but now its gone, along with some 40 jobs.  At the moment the building is still standing.  But it will probably be sold soon.

There are a few pictures from the lobby - rebuilt after I left in 2000, so I don't have any kind of sentimental attachment to it.  But the timeline and the words of Ernest Morgan bring out some feelings -- I suppose the bittersweet recognition that everything must pass.