| Abstract | The world's first known ex libris book-plate is left by a 15th century German monk. The incursion of library marks into China from the West can be traced back to the early '30 of 20th century, when Li Hua, in Shanghai at the time, became one of the tradition's keenest proponents - and one of the form's leading artists. Though introduced in the '30s, ex libris wood engraving didn't really get off the ground until peace was restored after the civil war. By the mid-'80s, an engravers' society had been established and ex libris designs became a recognized art form. |
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