Revista Ibérica de Exlibris

The Revista Ibérica de Exlibris was a Catalan quarterly publication founded in Barcelona in 1903 by the artists Alexandre de Riquer and Josep Triadó. It was dedicated to the study and dissemination of ex-libris (bookplates), a graphic art form that experienced a revival across Europe at the turn of the 20th century. The journal was printed at the prestigious Oliva press in Vilanova i la Geltrú, with the first volume printed by Joan Oliva i Milà and the following three by Fidel Giró of Barcelona. It was published between 1903 and 1906, and its content reflected the Catalan Modernisme and Arts & Crafts movements, which revalued craftsmanship and decorative arts. The Revista Ibérica de Exlibris aimed to spread knowledge of ex-libris in Catalonia and Spain, to encourage collecting and serious research, and to create a catalogue of bookplates from the Iberian Peninsula. It published articles in Catalan, Spanish, and Portuguese, with contributors from across the peninsula. The journal took the English magazine The Studio as a model, which had introduced Riquer to the international ex-libris movement after his trip to London in 1894. Although short-lived, the Revista Ibérica de Exlibris was a landmark publication that helped establish ex-librisme as a recognized field of artistic and bibliophilic study in the Iberian Peninsula.

The Revista Ibérica de Exlibris was founded in Barcelona in 1903 by Alexandre de Riquer and Josep Triadó, two leading figures of Catalan Modernisme. The journal emerged from the broader European revival of ex-libris, a movement closely tied to the restoration of handcrafted book production in the 19th century. Rejecting industrial bookmaking, artists revived techniques such as etching and engraving. The ex-libris movement began in England and Germany, and Alexandre de Riquer introduced it to Catalonia after coming into contact with Pre-Raphaelite artists. The immediate inspiration for the journal was an 1898 article in the English magazine The Studio titled 'Modern Book-plates and their designers', which showcased modern ex-libris illustrators worldwide. This article allowed Riquer and Triadó to see the evolution of ex-librisme internationally, and soon they became artists of their own ex-libris and decided to found a journal. The first volume was printed by Joan Oliva i Milà, and the following three by Fidel Giró of Barcelona, at the prestigious Oliva press in Vilanova i la Geltrú. The journal was published quarterly from 1903 to 1906. It aimed to spread knowledge of ex-libris in Catalonia and Spain, to encourage collecting and serious research, and to compile a catalogue of Iberian ex-libris. Contributors came from across the Iberian Peninsula, and articles were published in Catalan, Spanish, and Portuguese. The journal took The Studio as a model. Before its publication, there had been no in-depth study of ex-libris in Catalonia, apart from isolated articles in the late 19th century. The journal documented the rise of ex-libris from an unknown branch to its peak with the appearance of the specialized magazine, and then its decline alongside the Modernista movement. The interest in ex-librisme began around 1900 with the first ex-libris drawn by Alexandre de Riquer, although the first modern ex-libris in the Iberian Peninsula are considered to be those made by Josep Maria Sert for the library of M. Bultó in 1892. In the years before the journal's publication (1901–1902), ex-librisme began to be disseminated in Catalonia through leading art magazines such as Hispania, Pèl & Ploma, and Revista Gràfica, as well as bibliophile journals like Revista de bibliografia catalana. Ex-libris associations also appeared, notably the 'Amics del Llibre i dels Exlibris' founded in 1901 by Pau Font de Rubinat and Ramon Casals i Vernis, and another important association in 1902. These associations, composed mainly of artists, bibliophiles, and collectors, paved the way for the creation of the Revista Ibérica de Exlibris. The journal ceased publication in 1906, but it remains a key document of the Catalan and Iberian ex-libris movement.

• 1906

  Publication of the journal ceases.

• 1903

  First issue of Revista Ibérica de Exlibris published in Barcelona.

• 1902

  Another important ex-libris association is founded.

• 1901

  Association 'Amics del Llibre i dels Exlibris' founded by Pau Font de Rubinat and Ramon Casals i Vernis.

• 1900

  First ex-libris drawn by Alexandre de Riquer appear.

• 1898

  The Studio publishes 'Modern Book-plates and their designers', inspiring Riquer and Triadó.

• 1894

  Alexandre de Riquer travels to London and discovers the international ex-libris movement.

• 1892

  First modern ex-libris in the Iberian Peninsula made by Josep Maria Sert for the library of M. Bultó.

A specialized art and bibliophile journal promoting the study and collecting of ex-libris in the Iberian Peninsula, aligned with Catalan Modernisme and Arts & Crafts.

• Revista Ibérica de Exlibris (quarterly, 1903–1906)

1. 1Wikidata: Revista Ibérica de Exlibriswikidata.org
2. 2Viquipèdia: Revista Ibérica de exlibrisca.wikipedia.org
3. 3Arxiu de Revistes Catalanes Antigues (ARCA) recordarca.bnc.cat