Sample interview questions: Can you explain your knowledge of different provenance marks and annotations found in rare books?
Sample answer:
Provenance Marks:
- Bookplates: Ex libris (from Latin, meaning “from the library of”) denoting ownership.
- Signatures and Initials: Owners’ handwritten signatures or initials within or on covers.
- Marginalia: Handwritten annotations, scribbles, or notes indicating ownership or relationship to the book.
- Engraved Arms or Devices: Heraldic emblems etched or engraved on leather or boards, representing ownership or lineage.
- Donor Bookplates: Inserted at the time of donation to a library, indicating the donor’s name and the date or occasion.
Annotations:
- Marginalia: Handwritten comments, notes, or cross-references made within the margins.
- Underlining and Highlighting: Markings indicating emphasis or significance given to specific passages.
- Emendations or Corrections: Handwritten changes or additions to the original text.
- Inscriptions: Dedicated messages or inscriptions from authors or owners.
- Marginal Illustrations or Drawings: Hand-drawn images or diagrams added in the margins.
Expertise in Provenance Marks and Annotations:
- Identification and Interpreta… Read full answer
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