A Disappearing Art: Bookplates and Hong Kong 消失中的藝術：藏書票與香港

Project co-developed with the University Library.

In an era which witnesses the decline of print media, books and bookstores, bookplates have become increasingly unheard of and are thus at risk of becoming extinct. For centuries, bookplates have been appreciated not merely as works of art for their aesthetic values and technical complexity, they are also important materials for understanding different histories including history of art, printing, books, design, interaction between the East and the West. Therefore, it is crucial to introduce this valuable art to the public and preserve this cultural heritage for our future generation.

This digital project aims to contribute to the writing of the history of bookplates in Hong Kong by constructing an archive of bookplates created and collected by Hong Kong artists and collectors. More than eight hundred bookplates with exquisite techniques and a wide variety of themes are digitally archived and visually analyzed, forming a database of detailed information on each work with a user-friendly search and browse function. To thoroughly introduce bookplates to the users, information and analysis on bookplates such as its definition, history, techniques and exhibitions are also included in this website. Ultimately, this project hopes to promote to the public this endangered form of art and also provide valuable visual and textual materials for researchers who are interested in bookplates and its history in Hong Kong.