How I Collect: Bookmarks - by Lois Densky-Wolff

In the world of antique 'smalls' and ephemera illustrating the history of advertising art, I think nothing beats collecting bookmarks and pagemarkers. As a retired librarian and archivist, it is only natural I would be interested in book-related ephemera. I have been collecting new bookmarks since first becoming a librarian over thirty years ago and antique ones shortly thereafter.

My fascination with old bookmarks and pagemarkers began on a trip to London. At The British Ephemera Society's annual collectibles paper show, I purchased my first antique paper bookmarks. They were so lovely; I've been hooked ever since. Having worked professionally in library special collections and archives where one of my responsibilities was the acquisition of rare books and manuscripts, it was imperative never to have a conflict of interest when deciding what to personally collect. Bookmark collecting was a perfect fit.

NBC microphone, die-cut paper, 1935

Coca-Cola, paper ca. 1910

I really like printed ephemera - all those old, small historical materials that were made to be used once and then thrown away such as programs, menus, and tickets. My bookmark collecting made me even more receptive and sensitive to collecting ephemera professionally especially as they helped document the various historical subjects in the libraries where I once worked.

Paper bookmarks are classified as ephemera although they are intended for repeated use. My collection contains many examples of early paper and celluloid bookmarks. Most are in the category of 'advertising' or 'die-cut' - those cut in the shape of things, and I have great examples in the collection of both types.

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The other category that I am particularly attracted to is metal pagemarkers - those bookmarks produced with a pierced blade which clips to the paper. I began collecting bookmarks and (mostly) English page-markers because I like things historical and bookish, but did not want to collect rare books. Many of my pagemarkers have fancy and unusually-shaped handles.

I have a particular affinity for New Jersey made bookmarks, and actively seek out Newark manufactured celluloid by Whitehead & Hoag, silks from the Paterson, NJ, silk mills, and advertising paper from the (formerly) Newark-based Mennen Company. At last count, my collection contains thousands of bookmark examples. I would classify myself as an 'advanced' collector now that I am very selective of which bookmarks and pagemakers I add to the collection.

NY World's Fair, 1939-49, aluminum and ribbon souvenir on advertising card

Producers' Pride Milk, die-cut paper, no date

​My collection contains bookmarks and pagemarkers dating from the mid-19th century to the present and are made of paper, silver, gold, pewter, wood, brass, copper, ivory, mother-of-pearl, aluminum, chrome, tin, plastic, celluloid, leather, Fiberglas, silk, ribbon, woven and embroidered, and handmade originals. There are examples from around the world.

I find bookmarks in many places - at antique and book stores, antique and book shows, paper and collectible shows, and just free-for-the-taking new ones. My husband is the proprietor of the Old Book Shop in Morristown, NJ, and he is another welcome source of new and old bookmarks to add to the collection.

​Over the years, I have had the occasion to exhibit parts of my collection, mostly at libraries including Princeton and Rutgers Universities, and several public libraries in New Jersey. I had the pleasant opportunity to present a lecture about the history of bookmarks and my collection to members of The Ephemera Society of America at the Ephemera 22 show in 2002, and exhibit a small group there the following year. It has been a most enjoyable experience sharing my collecting obsession with the public.

Die-cut hand, celluloid, Whitehead & Hoag, Newark, NJ ca. 1906

Buckwalter Stove Company, Royerford, PA, die-cut celluloid by Whitehead & Hoag, Newark, NJ

​One great thing about collecting bookmarks: they are easy to store! Small and mostly flat, the pagemarkers are stored in miniature drawers and boxes, while the older paper and other materials bookmarks are stored in archival photographic negative sleeves and kept in binders. They are sorted into general categories but I could do a better job of cataloging them. A new retirement project in the making!

Ulbrich & Kingsley school books, paper, ca.1890

Penny Goods Chocolate, paper, no date

Piehler's Shoes, die-cut paper no date

​This entry is a repost of the original blog post by Lois Densky-Wolff on the website of
The Ephemera Society of America (ESA) from 2011.