BOOKPLATE ART

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 105, 6 May 1931, Page 3

BOOKPLATE ART

EX LIBRIS SOCIETY:

The annual meeting of the New Zealand Ex-Libris Society was held in the Turnbull Library on Monday. Dr. G. H. Seholefield presided. The annual report stated that interest in book-plates was growing steadily in New Zealand. The membership now totals nearly seventy. A flourishing branch lias been formed in Auckland, with Dr. Gunson as president and Miss Hilda Wiseman as secretary. It.is hoped shortly to form .branches in Christchureh and Dunedin. The society now has a collection of over 350 plates. During the year the first brochure was published and evoked flattering comment from Australian and American collectors and the Press in Australia and New Zealand. Hand in hand with the internal growth of the society has been a natural increase in the ;numbor of book-plates designed in this country, some exceptional plates being produced. Despite heavy preliminary expenses the finances of the society show a small credit balance. . In his retiring address, the president, Dr. Seholefield, said that members could congratulate themselves on having passed through a very successful year. There was no doubt that the society had stimulated interest in the book-plate art. Correspondence read showed a remarkable interest in the progress of the New Zealand organisation by book-plate societies in all parts of the world. It was decided to hold the first exhibition of book-plates in about three months time. New members elected included Sir Cyril Ward and Messrs. R. A. Loughnan, R. ¥. Cavvosso, E. V. Gunn, and T. T. Bond (London). A report was received from the Auckland branch recording exceptional interest in the northern activities of the society. The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mr. Johannes C. Andersen; vice-presidents, Sir Joseph Kinsey (Christchurch), Hon. I\. A. Anderson (Invercargill), Miss Hilda Wiseman, Dr. Gunson, and Mr. John Barr (Auckland), Dr. Scholefield and Mr. J. M. A. Ilott (Wellington); committee, Mrs. Violet Wakelin, Messrs. Llewellyn Williams, A.E. Currie, 11. C. South, E. M. Sladden, K. Alexander, and C. I. Lumb; hon. secretary, Mr. P. A. Lawlor; hon. treasurer, Mr. Eric Reeves; hon. librarian,, Mr. Stuart Peterson. The meeting concluded with a hearty vote of thanks to the retiring president for the keen interest he had shown in the society's welfare during his term of office.