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Turning Corners
by
Laine Farley
From Books: their history, art, power, glory, infamy and suffering according to their creators, friends and enemies by Gerald Donaldson, we learn that the poet Edward Young (1683-1765) “folded the leaf” whenever he came to a striking passage in his books. At his death, his library contained many books “which had long since resisted the power of closing.” While Mr. Young’s habit of dog-earring may be extreme, it is all too common a practice to turn down the corner of a page when a bookmark isn’t handy.
In various discussion forums where contributors reveal what they use for bookmarks, the topic of dog-earring always comes up. In one forum, we learn that the term in Flemish is “donkey ears.” Does that imply that the Dutch make larger folds? There are those who either boldly or sheepishly admit to doing it and those who roundly condemn them. In a blog called “Librarian Ire,” the author rails against “imbecilic paper abusers” and threatens to cut off the hands of those who dog ear, a rather extreme reaction to an innocent if annoying habit.
The definition of “dog ear” provided by a printing firm observes that “It may look like a small inverted triangle.” Perhaps it was someone frustrated by encountering dog-eared pages who came up with the idea of creating bookmarks in the shape of a corner. In the May 1895 issue of The Writer, a reader suggests that the “triangular piece cut from the corner of a stout envelope makes a convenient bookmark.” Not only does one envelope supply four bookmarks, but these corners are better than slips of paper because they cannot slip down into the book.
In Ladies Home Journal, February, 1903, a more refined version is suggested as a reward for the best sonnet writer at a “Heart Sociable”, a Valentine-themed party. This bookmark is made from the corner of a rice paper envelope with the verse “A book that is thy heart's best friend.”
Another heart-themed corner bookmark appears in Crafts ‘n Things in February 1997. This simple design “makes a delightful introduction to Norwegian hardanger embroidery.”
Heart-shaped corner bookmarks are an easy and appealing craft for children. Columnist Donna Erickson provided instructions for making them in February 1996, and it’s easy to find them online, similar to the paper corner heart bookmark that appears in a list of Valentine crafts.
A more involved design appeared in the September 1944 issue of American Photography by Harry Radzinsky. He provided designs for square and tab shape corners, decorated with photos. He says, “The marker simply consists of a triangular pocket which fits over the corner of a few pages of the book, with an ornamental front panel which can be photographically decorated according to the tastes of the individual.”
An online site called HowStuffWorks provides instructions for simple and whimsical corner bookmarks made from recycled junk mail envelopes including a little mouse with a tail.
It is also easy to find printable corner bookmarks such as those designed by home school families using Charlotte Mason techniques. These bold and colorful designs have inspiring messages related to reading and learning.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art used a classic design from Owen Jones’ Grammar of Ornament to create a corner bookmark in sterling silver. This bookmark is not only beautiful but also practical because it is very thin with little bumps that grip the page.
A modern design called the PageCorneR Bookmark brings us full circle. The tiger stares at us with his beautiful markings, the corner encompassing his tawny nose and mouth in a balanced design. The reverse of the card reminds us “No more dog-ears” and who wouldn’t prefer to use this bookmark rather than bend the page.
Bookmark specifications: You Left Off Here
Dimensions: 4" x 4"
Material: Paper
Manufacturer: Unknown
Date: 1930s?
Acquired: eBay
Bookmark specifications: [apples]
Dimensions: 2 3/4" x 3 / 4"
Material: Paper
Manufacturer: Paperways, England
Date: 1993
Acquired: Surprise gift shop, Oakland, CA
Bookmark specifications: [red leatherette]
Dimensions: 2 1/2" x 2 1 / 2"
Material: Leatherette
Manufacturer: Unknown
Date: 1940s?
Acquired: eBay
Bookmark specifications: Geometric Knot Bookmark
Dimensions: 1 1/2" x 1 1/2"
Material: Sterling silver
Manufacturer: Metropolitan Museum of Art
Date: 1994
Acquired: Metropolitan Museum of Art gift shop, Costa Mesa, CA
Bookmark specifications: [tiger eye]
Dimensions: 2 3/8" x 2 3 / 8"
Material: Plastic
Manufacturer: Fringe Gallery
Date: 2000
Acquired: Second Edition Bookstore, Oakland, CA
Laine Farley is a digital librarian who misses being around the look, feel and smell of real books. Her collection of over 3,000 bookmarks began with a serendipitous find while reviewing books donated to the library. Fortunately, her complementary collection of articles and books about bookmarks provides an excuse for her to get back to libraries and try her hand at writing about bookmarks. Farley’s web site is Collecting Bookmarks (Physical, not Virtual) , and she can be reached at
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