This is pretty strange, but apparently before the invention of bookplates, there were book rhymes. Something I've never heard of. Here's what Wikipedia has to say on the subject:
A Book rhyme is a short poem or rhyme that was formerly printed inside the front of a book or on the flyleaf to discourage theft or to indicate ownership.
Book rhymes were fairly common in the US during the 18th and 19th centuries, but the printing of bookplates pushed them out of use.
Anti-theft warnings
One of the most common is :- If this book you steal away,
- What will you say
- On Judgment Day?
Identification rhyme
- Everytown is my dwelling-place
- America is my nation
- John Smith is my name
- And Christ is my salvation
- And heaven my expectation
Hmmm I prefer bookplates myself but found this interesting. Learn something new everyday, I guess. It would be nice to have an authentic old book with one of these wouldn't it?
4 comments:
LOVE the first one!
Hmmm, I think I'm with you. I like the bookplates much better than the rhymes. :o)
I read this rhyme in Daddy Long-Legs, I think:
"If this book should ever roam,
Box its ears and send it home."
That's cute =)
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