Ex libris

History of the "Ex libris"
The first example in the history of 'ex libris', meaning the mark of ownership, dates back to the ancient Egyptians when ceramic plaques reflected ownership of papyrus belonging to Pharaoh Amenhotep III and Queen Tiye. Medieval Monks who painstakingly produced copies of bibles and codices by hand inscribed the name of the owner. The advent of the printing press in the 1400's saw the frontispiece engravings of books to indicate where they come from. The artist or engraver produced the 'ex libris' or bookplate bearing a heraldic motif that related to the owner of the book such as the owner's name, motto, coat-of-arms, badge or family crest. The people who could afford a personal library would also have a family crest. As time passed the 'ex libris' became a decorative label pasted into a book, often on the inside front cover.

Latin meaning of Ex libris
This famous Latin phrase Ex libris derives from  "ex" meaning 'origin' or 'from' and "libris" which is the plural of "liber" and means "books" and the term is now understood to mean "from the library of..."

Ex libris & Supralibros
In addition to the bookplate, also known as an 'ex libris' there were also the 'supralibros' or book stamps. These consisted of a gilded heraldic motive such as a coat of arms or monogramme that were stamped on the cover of a book and indicating the ownership of a book. Due to their historical importance and artistic designs 'ex libris' or bookplates have become objects of collection. The value of a book is effected by the inclusion of an 'ex libris' or bookplate

Ex libris

	Definition of famous Latin expression and phrase
	Ex libris means "From the books"
	Simple translation of this famous Latin phrase
	Learn the meaning of Ex libris and bookplate
	Examples, Meaning and Definition of Ex libris
	Definition of "Ex libris"
	The history of the Ex libris
	Spell and Define: Ex libris