The Message of Heraldic Ex-libris

Bookplates of Bishops Zsigmond Berényi and György Klimo in the Klimo Library

Abstract

In its original function, ex-libris (or bookplate) – as a small size graphic – was attached to books and indicated the owner of the book, usually with an artistic design. In the early days, ordering ex-libris from copper or wood engravers was an ”aristocratic passion”, only richer people could afford to have a small vignette made indicating their ownership for their libraries with a large number of volumes. In the beginning, ex-libris were mostly identical to the family coats of arms.

In the following, I am going to present the Klimo Library, one of the main pillars of the spirituality and the cultural life of Pécs, from a specific aspect, through the ex-libris appearing in the printed and manuscript books of the founder György Klimo – and his predecessor, Zsigmond Berényi – in a broader historical context, also highlighting the iconographic characteristics of the heraldic bookplates. 250 years ago, in 1774, bishop of Pécs, book collector and patron György Klimo (1710–1777) opened the first public library of our country, the Episcopal Library of Pécs with his book collection. In the volumes of the collection, several copperplate bookplates decorated with the family crest and the pontifical insignia can be found. Following his first canonical-episcopal ex-libris, the appearance of episcopal bookplates can be dated from 1754. At that time, he had three normal, one gala and one blank bookplate made for himself.

Such a detailed presentation of the ex-libris made for Klimo and included in his books, illustrated with pictures and carrier volumes, covering all known versions, further expands exlibrisological researches. On the other hand – from a broader perspective – it helps to identify the volumes of the original library of the collection and illustrates the extensive knowledge that characterized Klimo as a book collector.

Cover photo: OSZK 3572614