8 super-cool bookplates from the Library of Congress

The Library of Congress website is a tremendous educational and browsing resource, full of millions of pieces of digitized ephemera and other artifacts. In addition to the obvious books, photographs, works of art, maps and periodicals, there are films and audio recordings. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. If you're looking for a great way to pass time on a quiet afternoon or evening, the Library of Congress has something for you.

Bookplates, for example. There are numerous bookplates in the digital collection. Here are a few of them, to whet your appetite.

Bookplate of Helen Louise Taylor, Cincinnati, Ohio
Circa 1900-1930

Bookplate of Charles Chaplin
Circa 1918

Bookplate of English author Mrs. G. Linnaeus Banks
Circa 1876

Bookplate of Bella C. Landauer with "Lend a hand" motto
Linocut circa 1925

Edward Penfield, bookplate designer
Circa 1900-1925

Bookplate of Jack London
Circa 1900-1016

Bookplate of artist Francis D. Millet
Circa 1870-1912

Bookplate of Buddy Lankes
1920

Also, for the definitive blog on the world of bookplates, check out Lew Jaffe's Confessions of a Bookplate Junkie.