Emma Ford, once a busy private secretary with limited time, maintained a small collection of bookplates. She displayed these plates on black cardboards, each measuring 5 ½ x 8”, with white reverse sides for recording relevant information.

As a member of the American Society of Bookplate Collectors and Designers, Emma had access to a valuable network of fellow enthusiasts. Her primary interest lay in modern American bookplates, although she did acquire various types, including heraldic designs. She cherished her correspondence with artists and owners and relished browsing second-hand bookshops for new additions. Although not large or particularly cohesive, Emma held optimistic expectations for the collection's research and educational potential, especially in her quest to acquire bookplates from individuals in her beloved hometown of Evanston.