Shelf marks and ownership marks of the
Princeton University Library


Below are shown a number of the shelf marks and ownership marks that are or have been in use in the Princeton University Library.

Also available is a listing of ownership marks of collections and libraries absorbed into the main collections.

Shelf mark Description Notes
The shelf mark consists of a capital letter and a number. Standard shelf mark used after 1802 and before 1855. Books in Philadelphia / Stanhope Hall. Normally placed on the front pastedown or free end paper. Written in ink.

G. Hermann: De metris poetarum graecorum et romanorum, libri III (1796).


The shelf mark consists of two capital letters and a number. Standard shelf mark used after 1855 and before 1873. Books in South wing of Nassau Hall. Normally placed on the front pastedown or free end paper. Written in ink. [Read as 'Alcove D, bay B, shelf 8']

G. Hermann: De metris poetarum graecorum et romanorum, libri III (1796).

Receipt for label
Booklabel. Embossed white letters on printed blue field. 15,000 labels struck from "new die" purchased by librarian G.M. Giger on July 2, 1852 from Henry Percival, Die Sinker, General Engraver & Printer,Philadelphia. [Receipt in Mudd AC123]. Label normally placed on the front pastedown, upper left corner.

Cf. G. Hermann: De metris poetarum graecorum et romanorum, libri III (1796). See also wrapper labeled "Librarian's Report & Receipts, Feb. 3rd - June 29th 1853" in folder 8, box 26, collection AC117 at Mudd Library.


Inkstamp. Used in the 1860s. Normally placed on the title page.

D. G. Weeks: Legends of the War (1863).


The shelf mark normally appears at foot of bookplate. It consists of a roman numeral followed by arabic numerals. Standard shelf mark used between 1873 and 1890. Books in Chancellor Green Library. Bookplate and accompanying shelfmark are normally centered on front pastedown. Written in ink. [Read as 'Alcove XIX, shelf 876, book 71']

G. Hermann: De metris poetarum graecorum et romanorum, libri III (1796).


The shelf mark consists of all arabic numerals. First line normally four digits. Standard shelf mark used after 1890 and down to as late as 1970s. Books re-organized by Librarian E C Richardson and shelved in Chancellor Green and Pyne Library. Normally placed on a label in the upper left corner of the front pastedown and / or the upperhalf the front pastedown.
Written in ink if on label, and in pencil, usually on leaf following title page. [Read as 'Class 2538, Cutter number 454']

G. Hermann: De metris poetarum graecorum et romanorum, libri III (1796).



The above markings in context. Front pastedown of

G. Hermann: De metris poetarum graecorum et romanorum, libri III (1796).


Ink stamp.
Introduced into use when Library was in (now) Stanhope Hall, 1803 to 1855. Earliest documented practice is 1815. Normally stamped on titlepage. Also found stamped in left margin of page 45.

Pharmacopoeia of the Massachusetts Medical Society (1808). See also Phillip Lindsly's "Statement respecting the Library ... March ... 1815," p. 3 ("...all the newly purchased volumes to receive the usual library stamp"), folder 8, box 26, collection AC117 at Mudd Library.


Embossed In use after 1873 and not after 1896. Normally placed on titlepage.

E. H. Bickersteth: The Two Brothers (1871).


Embossed round seal. In use after 1873 and not after 1896.
Normally placed on titlepage.

P. A. Munch: The Norwegian Invasion of Scotland (1862).


Ink stamp. In use during 1890s, before 1896.

C. M. Yonge: A book of golden deeds of all times (1866).


Book label. In use during 1890s, before 1896.

C. M. Yonge: A book of golden deeds of all times (1866).


Perforation. Introduced after the College of New Jersey changed its name to Princeton University in 1896. In use perhaps as late as mid-twentieth century.
Normally placed on the lower left of titlepage.

S. Rutherford: Letters (1863).


Embossed round seal. Introduced after the College of New Jersey changed its name to Princeton University in 1896. In use as late as mid-twentieth century.
Normally placed on the lower left of titlepage.

To Doctor R./Essays...in honor...of Dr. A.S. W. Rosenbach (1946).


Embossed. Introduced after the College of New Jersey changed its name to Princeton University in 1896.

T. Meadows. Ralph Darnell (1888).


Ink stamp. Introduced after the College of New Jersey changed its name to Princeton University in 1896. In use as late as mid-twentieth century.
Normally placed on the lower left of titlepage.

To Doctor R./Essays...in honor...of Dr. A.S. W. Rosenbach (1946).


Accession number. Introduced as part of E C Richardson's re-organization program ca. 1900.  In use as late as mid-twentieth century.
Normally placed on the lower edge of leaf following title page. Stamped in blue ink.

Princeton University Library Classed List (1920).


Bindery control number.
Used ca. 1900-1920.
In gutter of last leaf.
Control ticket, recto and verso (giving instruction for spine title and call number)


Bookplate.
Bookplate, 1897. Designed and engraved by E. D. French.


Bookplate.
Bookplate, introduced ca 1900. Normally centered on front pastedown. Black on white.


Bookplate.
Reynolds Stone bookplate, introduced ca 1970. Normally centered on front pastedown. Sepia or black on white.


Ink stamp.
Logo introduced ca 1977.
Usually stamped on top edge of textblock.
Black on white.


3 May 2007