Bookplate of the Boston Medical Library 19th-20th century

Curator: At the Harvard Art Museums, we have a bookplate designed for the Boston Medical Library, created by Sidney L. Smith. Editor: The meticulous line work gives it an air of solemnity, don’t you think? It feels almost like a memorial. Curator: It’s meant to commemorate Robert Charles Billings, with the inscription “From the fund bequeathed by” above his portrait. Bookplates like these weren't just decorative; they signaled institutional identity. Editor: True, and the oval frame around the portrait, adorned with foliage, provides an interesting contrast to the rectangular frame encasing the library's name and address. Curator: The placement of the library's address reflects the growing importance of institutions in the late 19th century as guardians of knowledge and public health. Editor: A fascinating blend of personal remembrance and civic identity, wouldn't you say? It’s a subtle testament to both the man and the institution he supported.