Exlibris in Turkey

Exlibris in Turkey
Prof. Hasip Pektas

In books of manuscript and printed books inherited from the Ottoman era we may accept seays as the sign of possession. Although seals are not included in the type of exlibris , they have been treated as exlibris with their oiginal calligraphic structures in terms of coat of arms to which they belong or logotype.

Exlibris introduction to Turkey has been made by books received from the West. Books with exlibris which have been widely used in European Countries have been entered Turkey by second hand selling, and when owner of these books are dead however they have been sold by the relative of the owner's of such books to libraries or dealers in old books. In some books which have been bought from auction in Turkey exlibrises have been come across. For example, in most of old books in National Library, Bogazici University, Yapi Kredi Bankasi and the Museus of Press libraries exlibrises can be found.

There are also books with exlibris in Omer Koc Library, one of the privaet collections. Those who have caused to make first exlibris in Turkey in their names are lovers of book of foreign nationality. It has been realised from the books which had been left to the library by teachers who exercised their duty at such schools as Uskudar American College, Robert College, etc. that they have caused to make exlibris for themselves. In some of books in the library of Robert College which is now Bogazici University there are standard exlibris specific to the library. Exlibrises in which blocks are avaliable in order to inscribe the owner of the annual book have beeen present in Robert College student annual books / records since 1920.

This tradition which has been carried out by the record designers has been unfortunately suspended by the year of 1950. In most of old books which have beeen stored at the section of rare books, exlibris can be found, but in some of them they have been removed and taken away. Since the years of 1980's, particularly through encouragement of instructors who give original print, drawing and graphic design courses, individuals who make exlibris have been started to be educated.

Names of artists and designers who promote and announce name of our country in exlibris exhibitions held abroad can be seen.

In the 3rd Exlibris Biennale made in Italy in 1996, Hasip Pektas won the first prize, Ismail Ilhan the second prize, and in the competition of exlibris exhibitions held in Italy also in 1997 with the subject of music Sema Ilgaz Temel won the prize for third place. In the competition of exlibris exhibitions held in Barcelona in 2000 with the subject of "Exlibris in the 21th Century" Erol Olcay won the prize for mention. So in the competition of exlibris exhibitions held in Argentina in 2001 with the subject of "Gral. José de San Martin -150" Erdal Aygenç won the prize for third place.
In the F.I.S.A.E. 1st International CGD Ex-libris Competition 2004
Mine Saraç Dogan won the prize for Special Prize of Town of Sint-Niklaas, Ozan Ayitkan won the prize for FINALE Foundation Prize, Lausanne: Best Erotic Ex-libris, H. M�jde Ayan, L�tfiye Aydogdu, Erdal Aygenç, Ilknur Dedeoglu, Ali Dogan, Elif Varol Ergen won the prize for honourable mention.

Turkish artists have been attending exlibris exhibitions in most of European Countries, particularly Belgium and Yugoslavia since 1980. New and recent additions will be made to Tulin Aktar, Mine Arasan, Mehmet Aydogdu, Erdal Aygenç, Nurhayat Berker, Ilknur Dedeoglu, Salih Denli, Ugur Erbas, Hakan Erkam, Nazan Erkmen, Erdogan Ergun, Sukru Erturk, Mine Gunduz, Murside Icmeli, Aysegul Izer, Berran Kancal, Ahmet Aydin Kaptan, Devabil Kara, Sadik Karamustafa, Emin Koc, Hayati Misman, Gokhan Okur, Erol Olcay, Hasan Pekmezci, Hasip Pektas, Nazan Tekbas Tanyu, Sema Ilgaz Temel, Ercan Tuna, Serdar Tuna who are one of our artists and designers who executed works on this matter and tried to make exlibris spreading away. 

Ankara Exlibris Society was assembled in 19 August 1997. Now it has 110 members. The organizations in Istanbul and in other cities which are about to be set up the art of exlibris will be become wide-spread and perhaps, as in the most countries, Turkey will have also a museum of exlibris.

Ankara Exlibris Society has prepared a big exlibris competition in 2003 in Ankara.
Here is web site: www.aed.org.tr

published Ankara Exlibris Society at 2005.02.20
written by Hasip Pektas