Letters

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

An ornate engraved bookplate for the Library of the University of Michigan. The design is enclosed in a decorative rectangular border with floral and scrollwork details. At the top center is a small circular medallion with the date "1817". Below this, three circles are inscribed with the words "ARTES", "VERITAS", and "SCIENTIA". The title "LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN" is printed in a bold, arched serif font. The centerpiece is the Great Seal of the State of Michigan, which features an eagle holding a banner with the motto "E PLURIBUS UNUM" (Out of many, one) above a shield. The shield displays the word "TUEBOR" (I will defend) and a man on a peninsula, and is flanked by an elk and a moose. At the bottom of the seal, banners bear the motto "SI QUÆRIS PENINSULAM AMŒNAM CIRCUMSPICE" (If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you). Beneath the central engraving is a blank rectangular panel for administrative markings, framed by hanging floral garlands.