author
Charles Dexter Allen
1865–1926
A Connecticut writer and editor with a collector’s eye, this late-19th-century author helped turn American bookplates into a subject of lively history and close study. His books blend enthusiasm, research, and a real affection for the world of rare books and prints.
1 Audiobook
American Book-Plates: A Guide to Their Study with Examples
by Charles Dexter Allen
About the author
Born in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, in 1865, Charles Dexter Allen was educated in Hartford’s public schools and later worked in banking before moving into literary and editorial work. A biographical reference from his own era notes that he became editor of In Lantern Land in 1898, and archival records describe him as a writer and artist who remained closely connected to Connecticut throughout his life.
Allen is best remembered for writing about bookplates, collecting, and print culture. His known works include American Book-Plates, A Classified List of Early American Book-Plates, and Ex Libris: Essays of a Collector, books that helped document and popularize the history of American ex-libris design. His work shows both the habits of a careful cataloger and the excitement of someone who genuinely loved the objects he studied.
He was also associated with the Grolier Club, an important society for book lovers and collectors. Charles Dexter Allen died in 1926, leaving behind writing that still matters to readers interested in book history, collecting, and the decorative life of books.