Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1800s-2000s (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
178 bookplates
1 leaf of textual records : ill.
Context area
Name of creator
Administrative history
The Edward P. Taylor Library & Archives at the Art Gallery of Ontario is a leading Canadian centre for research in art. It collects published and archival materials related to the collection, exhibitions and public programs of the AGO, and Canadian art in general with a geographic focus on Ontario.
The library holds more than 380,000 items including books, rare books, artists’ books, multiples, and artist files. Archival collections include the archives of the Art Gallery of Ontario and extensive special collections (artists’ archives and related collections).
The library was established in the library of the historic Grange House in 1933 when the gallery received a donation of 200 books on art from the Carnegie foundation. That same year the library opened to gallery staff and members of the public, and was soon supervised by a librarian.
The gallery’s Stage II expansion in 1977 provided a larger facility for the library, which was renamed the Edward P. Taylor Reference Library and became part of the Curatorial Division. The current facility for the Library & Archives was opened in 1993 with the gallery’s Stage III expansion. In 2017 the entrance of the Library & Archives was expanded to include a lounge space as part of the revitalization of Grange Park.
The AGO Archives, which consists of records created by the gallery, was established in September 1975 under the direction of Margaret Machell, who worked as Keeper of the Grange and AGO Archivist until her retirement in 1981. Following her departure, the Archives reported to the gallery’s administrative branch until 1989 when it merged with the Reference Library to become the Edward P. Taylor Research Library & Archives. The department was renamed the Edward P. Taylor Library & Archives in 2017.
Archival history
The materials constituting the Canadian bookplate collection were acquired in 1969, 1975, 1978 and later by the AGO from various sources.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
AGO credit line: various.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Collection consists of ornamented and illustrated bookplates accumulated by the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) Library and Archives beginning in 1969. In that year, AGO librarian Sybille Pantazzi acquired the first group of items now included in the collection, and added to it in 1975 and 1978. The Library and Archives continues to augment the collection.
The bookplates in the collection were chiefly designed for Canadian book collectors, libraries and associations by Canadian, American and other artists from the 19th century to the present day. The collection includes armorial, presentation and other bookplates and 1 leaflet, and comprises various forms of prints such as engravings, etchings and woodcuts. Most of the bookplates have not been used.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Open. Access to Special Collections is by appointment. Please contact the reference desk for more information.
Conditions governing reproduction
Various copyright holders. It is the researcher’s responsibility to obtain permission to publish any part of the collection.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Uploaded finding aid
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
The Art Gallery of Ontario holds works of art in its permanent collection by artists named in the fonds: William Walker Alexander, Timothy Cole, Ann MacIntosh Duff, Sylvia Hahn, Micah Lexier, Stanley Harrod, Alfred Harold Howard, Julius John Lankes, James Edward Hervey Macdonald, Thoreau Macdonald and Frederick Horsman Varley.
Notes area
Note
Some items have attributions and other information noted on verso.
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Description and finding aid created 2004, revised 2017.
Language(s)
- English
Script(s)
Sources
Archivist's note
Description prepared by Sylvia Lassam (2004), modified by Gary Fitzgibbon (2017).
Uploaded and adapted by Nirvana Chainani, 2019.