A few of the leading engravers of ex-libris who sign themselves as of _Nancy_ are J. Valdor (G. Grangier’s plate); C. Charles, 1739; Nicole on a large number of dated plates, from 1743 to 1767; Colin, and two named Collin, whose signatures appear on a number of fine plates. The D. Collin, who produced the interesting plate of “_R. Willemet_, Apothicaire à Nancy,” describes himself as “Graveur du feu Roy de Pologne.” Further particulars concerning these artists will be found in the chapter on artists and engravers. [Illustration: BOOK-PLATE OF FRANÇOIS DE CHANTEAU.] The Duchy of Lorraine (formerly known as Lotharingia) was at one time an appanage of the House of Austria, but after several dynastic changes it was conferred, for life only, upon Stanislaus I., the dethroned king of Poland. [Illustration: BOOK-PLATE OF LÉON GERMAIN OF NANCY.] Stanislaus held the titles “Duc de Lorraine et de Bar,” and on the large book-plate for the public library of the city of Nancy, the inscription reads “Fondée par le Roy de Pologne, duc de Lorraine, en MDCCL,” whilst the supporters of the central shield are two eagles, each carrying an escutcheon, the dexter eagle bears the arms of Lorraine (_or, on a bend gules, three allerions argent_), the sinister eagle carries the arms of Bar. On the death of Stanislaus, in February, 1766, the Duchy was united to the crown of France. [Illustration: BOOK-PLATE BY NICOLE OF NANCY.] The city of Nancy was the capital of Lorraine. Here Stanislaus resided: he did much to embellish the city, where his memory is still highly respected, his portrait is preserved in the library, and a public square is named after him, whilst, as we have seen, D. Collin mentioned on his works that he had been “engraver to the late King of Poland,” a statement which, at first sight, appears to have little relevance to French book-plates. The handsome plate which has been re-engraved for this work, and forms the frontispiece, belonged to the Prince de Marsan, of the house of Lorraine. It is a grand specimen of the Louis Seize style, but unfortunately it is neither signed nor dated. [Illustration: BOOK-PLATE OF PETER DOBREE.] The inscription reads “Ex Libris Serenissimi Principis DE MARSAN a Lotharingia.” The eight quarterings on the shield are the arms of--1. Hungary; 2. Anjou-Sicile; 3. Jerusalem; 4. Aragon; 5. Anjou (modern); 6. Gueldres; 7. Brabant; 8. Bar. On the dexter inescutcheon are the pure arms of Lorraine as borne by the Dukes of Lorraine. The whole within a bordure. [Illustration: BOOK-PLATE OF FREDERICK LE MESURIER.] The collars around the arms are those of the French _Ordres du Roi_, namely the orders of Saint Michel and the Saint Esprit. [Illustration: BOOK-PLATE OF PETER DE HAVILLAND.]