English Heraldic Book-stamps

by Cyril Davenport

"English Heraldic Book-stamps" by Cyril Davenport is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The book explores the fascinating world of heraldic book-stamps, detailing coats-of-arms and crests that adorn bookbindings across England, Scotland, and Ireland, with a focus on their historical significance and identification. The opening of the book sets the stage for an exhaustive examination of heraldic stamps, emphasizing that the material presented is just a collection of what exists, with suggestions of the vast number yet to be discovered. Davenport expresses a desire to document these symbols better, noting that little attention has previously been given to English heraldry in this context compared to French counterparts. He outlines the historical roots of heraldry, touching upon its military origins and the evolution of coats-of-arms on books from the late 15th century onward, establishing a foundation for the detailed descriptions and illustrations to follow in the subsequent chapters.