The inscription, typically showing as a personalised mark inside a guide, designates possession. It incessantly takes the type of a rubber stamp or a pre-printed label accomplished with the proprietor’s title. An instance can be an impression that reads “From the library of [Name]” or “Ex Libris [Name],” indicating the guide is a part of a private assortment.
This observe gives a transparent technique for figuring out the rightful possessor of a quantity. Traditionally, it served as a deterrent in opposition to theft and facilitated the return of misplaced books. Furthermore, it imbues a guide with a way of non-public historical past and provenance, including to its worth for collectors and future generations. It signifies stewardship and reverence for the written phrase, emphasizing the significance of preserving and defending literary works.
