Bookplates, also known as Ex-Libris in Latin, indicate that “this is my book,” “my library,” or “this is part of my collection.”
Before the 15th century, only royals, religious figures, and nobles could own books. The Renaissance saw the development of German printing techniques, as well as the introduction of paper and other printing techniques to the West.
Artisans in Europe began to acquire wealth and merchants began to collect books. Around this time, folk artists started to make bookplates for well-to-do families and guilds. From this point on, bookplates followed books on their journeys around the world.