Bookplate Removal For Artworks

Pros And Cons Of Removing Original Illustrations From Books

There are mixed views on whether book illustrations should be removed from books. Some believe that the book itself is too precious to start cutting out the illustrated pages as the illustrations are part of the desirability of the book. Some may not care about the book at all. We take a look at some of the pros and cons of removing the illustrations and why some people do it in the first place.

Pros

The illustrations in a book undoubtedly last much longer if the book is looked after well thus preserving these original artworks for decades, if not longer.
Some book illustrations especially original illustrations like etchings, lithographs and screen-prints may be worth more individually than the complete book itself. Take for example a copy of Illustrations for the Bible by Marc Chagall dated 1956. This book contains 29 original lithographs 17 in colour and 12 in black and white. These lithographs range in price from £300-800 each, more if framed well. So, if the mean price (mid-price) was valued at £550 per lithograph then the total amount if you sold all 29 illustrated plates would be £15,950. If you purchased Chagall’s ‘Bible’ on the cheap you would make a fantastic profit. If you’re lucky enough to obtain a signed, numbered copy with each plate signed and numbered each one of the illustrated plates sell for at around a thousand plus. Selling the book with all the original illustrations is less profitable than removing and selling the plates either unframed or framed. So, you can understand why many people remove the plates from certain books as there is a great deal of money to be made by doing so.
Just imagine two people receive a copy of the same book let’s use Chagall’s Bible for example. One removes all the original illustrations and frames them and hangs them on the walls at home. The other person does not like or care for the book and gets rid of it by throwing it in the bin never to be seen again. Was it so wrong to remove the original illustrations as these are original artworks and do still remain unlike the copy that was unwanted and thrown away. The one who removed the original illustrations still has them and has 29 valuable artworks on their wall.
These images were often meant to be removed from books to frame and enjoy and by doing so you are carrying out the wishes of the artist. You were meant to promote their art also by hanging framing and hanging the on your walls so others who saw them would also go out and purchase the book.
As these original illustrations are classed as fine art they often increase in value over time and therefore make for a good investment for yourself or your children. A £550 artwork may be worth be worth thousands in 20 years. Art has been a good investment just as property has so many people who remove these original plates keep them as investment for their retirement or for their children’s future.
It is a proven fact that these artworks are worth more as individual plates than if left intact in the book even if you kept the book for 20 years. Framing the plates professionally not only adds extra value but some buyers expect to buy a piece of art that is framed rather than a bookplate. By framing these bookplates, you are sharing the joy of looking at the artwork or gifting, selling it or keeping it yourself for the family to look at it.

Cons

By removing the plates, you are spoiling the book and the enjoyment that people may have from viewing the images along with the main text. By just having the text the book has lost its graphics and may put people off from wanting to read it and learn more about the artist for example.
If the original illustrations are not kept with acid-free tissue paper over the image then they could spoil. If professional framing to grade 2 museum standard is not done then dampness on walls or sunlight could make the illustration brow or fade.
People tend to throw out picture that don’t match their decor or they don’t like the image itself. Others may like the frame but not the image and change it for a different one and throw the old one in the bin without or caring for its monetary value. Many of these framed prints will be damaged or discarded and may have lasted longer if kept in the book.
Proving the illustration is an original illustration is from a particular book becomes harder to determine if it has not been professionally framed from a fine art framer who states all the details on the back of the frame such as the title of the artwork, the artist who created it, the date and its origin.
The complete book can often give future generations some idea of its provenance which can add to its appeal especially if a previous owner is well known and has signed, inscribed or doodled in it. Other non-famous previous owners may add their names or a gift inscription etc which may add appeal to some buyers. Look at the Harry Potter books that children wrote their names in. These added much appeal as they proved how much some children loved the book that they wanted to put their names on them so brothers and sisters would not take and read their precious book. This shows how proud some children were of having a copy. Many artists have doodled or inscribed their books which adds value to the book itself. The book without the images taken out makes it harder to see the full provenance of the complete book.
Buyers are put off buying a book without the illustrations and the book may therefore become difficult to sell on if you are a bookseller. Buyers want to see the images that the artist is associated with and not just read the text about the images.
The book may become worthless and end up in the bin if the plates are not removed carefully as once the spine is cut all the pages could come flying out.
The book becomes scarcer and therefore less people will gain enjoyment from the book.