Ex libris book showcase
Veterinary Bookplates
by G.N.
The book is written in Danish language, with a summary in German and a smaller still sum-up in English: it is thanks to this last one I'm able to describe the text content of the work.
The book opens with the tale of the animal iconography. «One hundred years ago Prof. Flinders Petrie during excavations in Kahun, Egypt, found some of the oldest veterinary legend in the world. The text, written on papyrus more than 4000 years ago, was a review of animal diseases, their diagnosis and treatment.»
Then, after about the year 400 AD, «A period of scientific darkness lasting a millennium then elapsed (...)». «In the 17th - 18th century the farrier healing horses emerges as the ancestor of the veterinary surgeon. But not until the foundation of veterinary colleges did the veterinary art achieve a solid scientific base.»
«Iconographia veterinaria offers an outline of the historic and mythical basis of the various symbols used in Danish veterinary bookplates. The serpent and rod of Asclepios, the official medical symbol, dominates the motifs of 60% of the bookplates presented in this article. Dr. Emanuel Bergman, Sweden, suggested a veterinary version consisting of 2 aesculapian rods put together as a V; an idea used in several Swedish bookplates. Very popular indeed is the combination of the serpent and rod of Asclepios and the horseshoe. More than 40% of Danish veterinary bookplates are decorated with a horseshoe.»
Cover "Veterinary Bookplates", exl by Ottmar
Premstaller
To learn more, I direct you to the book.
The bibliography section lists 41 references, among them stands out "Gli ex libris medico-veterinari" ("The medical-veterinary ex libris"), printed in 1986, by the late Remo Palmirani.
The book reproduces circa 150 ex libris, plus 8 original ex libris, glued on the book. Exluding the front and back covers, there are 48 pages. Format is in 8°.
Danske dyrlaege-exlibris
by Erik Skovenborg
ISBN 87-7317-166-2
printed in april 1992
to learn more: Klaus Rödel - Postboks 109 - DK-990 - Frederikshavn
- Denmark
(Disclosure: Artifex bought a copy of the book showcased)
