Associations of bookplates have been established in different countries for bringing together bookplates lovers who are interested in producing, exchanging, collecting and promoting bookplates. Currently, more than 40 societies of bookplates across the world, including Hong Kong Ex-libris Association (HKEA), are under the patronage of FISAE which is the acronym in French for Fédération Internationale des Sociétés d’Amateurs d’Ex-Libris, meaning International Federation of Societies of Ex-Libris Collectors. FISAE is the international congress of bookplates and its members meet every two years at different locations.

Other important international exhibitions of bookplates also include the International Biennial Exhibition of Modern Exlibris in Malbork, the Gdańsk International Exlibris and Small Graphic Form Competition and Ostrów Wielkopolski International Small Prints and Ex Libris Biennial Exhibition.

Major Bookplate Exhibitions and Events in Hong Kong

1980s
In Hong Kong, the activities of bookplates emerged in the 1980s, and significant exhibitions of bookplates in the early days included the following.

1985
The first bookplate exhibition in Hong Kong was held from 1 to 7 February 1985 and organized by First Institute of Art. The exhibition featured works from artists in Mainland China and Hong Kong.

1990
In 1990, the first exhibition of bookplate by HKEA was held at the Commercial Press in Central with a catalogue published.
In the same year, Hong Kong Ex-libris Association also organized the “International Ex-libris Exhibition” at the Fung Ping Shan Museum (present name: the University Museum and Art Gallery, the University of Hong Kong).

1991 to 2016
After a hiatus of bookplate activities in Hong Kong for over two decades, related activities have been taking place in the recent years.

March 2017
Invited by Academy of Visual Arts (AVA) of Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), a lecture was given on the topic of bookplates in Hong Kong with a demonstration on bookplate making in Kai Tak campus. Mr. Yu Yuan Hong, the founder of HKEA, was the speaker and Ms. Malou Hung, a bookplate artist, gave the demonstration.

April - May 2017
“The Art of Prints x Especially for Books: Special Exhibition on International Ex-libris,” curated by Dr. Sarah Ng, was held at the HKBU Library. Presenting bookplates made by artists from 18 countries, including Europe, Taiwan and Hong Kong, the exhibits also included bookplates collected by Mr. Edward Wong and made by Dr. Ni Yuan. Dr. Ni also gave two lectures on the history of prints and bookplates in Taiwan. A booklet on the exhibition was published. Officiating guests at the opening ceremony were Mr. Kendall Crilly (the Librarian of HKBU), Prof. John Aiken (the director of AVA), Mr. Edward Wong (collector), Dr. Sarah Ng (curator) and Mr. Yu Yuan Hong (founder of HKEA).
An exhibition titled “A Sentimental Journey: Tung Chiao and His Study” was also held in Sotheby’s Hong Kong Gallery, showcasing the collection of Tung Chiao including his bookplates.

October - November 2017
Co-organized with Lingnan University Library, an international bookplate exhibition displayed about 200 bookplates. There were lectures by Ms. Malou Hung and Dr. Sarah Ng , and a bookplate making demonstration by Mr. Samuel Wong.

June - July 2018
Hau Siu Ching Art Studio organized an exhibition titled “Gem on paper – Ex Libris” in Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre.

March 2019
Co-organized with Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) Library, the exhibition titled "Loving Ex Libris: An Exhibition on International Bookplates" marked and celebrated the 30^th anniversary of HKEA. Organized events included lectures by Dr. Sarah Ng, as well as a bookplate-making demonstration by Mr. Cheng Taigo. The officiating guests of the opening ceremony were the Pro Vice-chancellor of HKUST, the head of HKUST Library, the chairperson of HKEA, etc.
HKEA also published its 30^th Anniversary Exhibition Catalogue.