ex libris

[ eks lee-bris, lahy- ]

/ ɛks ˈli brɪs, ˈlaɪ- /

from the library of (a phrase inscribed in or on a book before the name of the owner): Ex libris Jane Doe.

an inscription in or on a book, to indicate the owner; bookplate.

Origin of ex libris

First recorded in 1875–80, ex libris is from the Latin word ex lībrīs out of the books (of), from the books (of)

La valeur dun Bibliophile est en raison inverse de la dimension de son Ex-Libris.

French Book-plates |Walter Hamilton
British collectors treat these super libros as things apart from ex-libris.

French Book-plates |Walter Hamilton
There has grown up, too, quite a literature about the making of the book beautiful—whereof the Ex-Libris Series alone is witness.

Of the Decorative Illustration of Books Old and New |Walter Crane
Unfortunately it was dispersed on his decease, and his ex-libris given herewith is consequently scarce.

French Book-plates |Walter Hamilton

The larger is bound in as a frontispiece; the smaller (the ex-libris) is inserted at the beginning.

De Libris: Prose and Verse |Austin Dobson

ex libris

/ (ɛks ˈliːbrɪs) /

from the collection or library of: frequently printed on bookplates

a bookplate bearing the owner's name, coat of arms, etc

C19: from Latin, literally: from the books (of)