BOOK ARTS OPPORTUNITY: Director - American Society of Bookplate Collectors & Designers (est. 1922)

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​Greetings Friends of the Book Arts!

What is a bookplate?

Since the fifteenth century, distinguished artists and their patrons have given serious attention to this art form. A bookplate represents pride in the ownership of books. It is a graphic art print developed to adorn books providing a convenient, individualized way for the book’s owner to be identified. The bookplate, or ex libris, is a label affixed to the inside front cover of a book.

Bookplates have been designed by artists and engravers such as Albrecht Dürer, Thomas Bewick, Paul Revere, Kate Greenaway, Aubrey Beardsley, Marc Chagall, M.C. Escher, Rockwell Kent, Leonard Baskin, Barry Moser, and others. Many are acknowledged for their work as book illustrators and designers.

The owners of bookplates are a distinguished group as well. We find that Queen Victoria of Great Britain owned a bookplate, as did George Washington, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Charles DeGaulle. Other famous people include: Harpo Marx, James Cagney, Sigmund Freud, Walt Disney, J.P. Morgan, Jack London, and the list goes on.

Today we present an attractive proposal for several positions with the American Society of Bookplate Collectors & Designers (est. 1922). Visit our website at https://bookplate.org. Please write for more information: info@bookplate.org

WE PROVIDE TRAINING FOR THE RIGHT CANDIDATE(S)!

After steering the ASBC&D through our Centennial Celebration, I have reflected on my tenure as the director of our society for 22 years. It is amazing how much I have learned about the art of the bookplate and connecting with bookplate enthusiasts globally. It has been a real pleasure getting to interface and converse with designers, bibliophiles, and art collectors worldwide. Now it's time for me to take a step back and work on the bookplate collections and library.

Your membership dues, articles, and kind donations will continue to support our publications, website, competitions, and exhibitions. We are now accepting applications to build a new staff for several prestigious volunteer positions and the beginning of a new century for our society.

The list below includes some of the responsibilities to perform. Now you can sign up for one or more!

Good Luck!!

James P. Keenan, Director


The following is a quick description:

1) FUNDRAISING - The ASBC&D is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization. Understand that the ASBC&D has a small limited annual budget from membership dues - to make necessary progress proper funding is essential. Otherwise the graphic art of the bookplate will become a lost book art in the USA.

2) AUTHOR - EDITOR - GRAPHIC DESIGNER - PRINT BUYER - Write, solicit, and edit articles. Coordinate the design, printing, and mailing of our publications.

3) ACCOUNTING - Manage the Society's budget. Annual IRS filings required to maintain our 501(c)(3) status.

4) DAILY CORRESPONDENCE - Handle daily correspondence from all over the world from bibliophiles & art collectors.

5) SOCIAL NETWORKING - Bookplate societies must post daily and interact online with global artists and collectors. Hundreds of artists and collectors will introduce you to this global network

6) PUBLICITY & MARKETING - Maintain ASBC&Ds regular mainstream presence at book fairs, library trade shows, & conferences.

7) WORKSHOPS - LECTURES - DEMONSTRATIONS -Online & in-person. Present workshops, lectures, & demonstrations by world artists, printmakers, & collectors.

8) EXHIBITIONS COORDINATOR - Layout, design, and mount in-person and traveling exhibitions. Build online exhibitions - mount, promote, schedule, and insure our shows.

9) DOMESTIC RESPONSIBILITIES - Coordinate and create in-person and online regional meetings. Lectures and exhibits nationwide.

10) GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITIES - Participation in worldwide meetings is an essential part of the job.

11) WEBSITE UPDATES & MAINTENANCE - Ongoing website development and maintenance required.

12) THE SOCIETY'S BOOKPLATE COLLECTION - Build and manage an ASBC&D library and print collection.