Books are vessels of meaning and culture

Books, books, books!

I had found the secret of a garret-room

Piled high with cases in my father’s name;

Piled high, packed large,—where, creeping in and out

Among the giant fossils of my past,

Like some small nimble mouse between the ribs

Of a mastodon, I nibbled here and there

At this or that box, pulling through the gap,

In heats of terror, haste, victorious joy,

The first book first. And how I felt it beat

Under my pillow, in the morning’s dark,

An hour before the sun would let me read!

My books!

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

     Students and professionals alike rely on books for reference, guidance and motivation. Book designers, printers, and typographers literally bank on books for their livelihood. Books can create and reflect worlds and new ideas. They are essential elements in the shaping the development of our society and its values.

     This resource, found in academic libraries, provides historical background for the user, and traces book printing practices, terminology, and technology in the early centuries of the craft. The various links lead to additional resources that will lead to yet others. Some of the same primary sources will be found along different paths.

     The book arts are alive and well, as attested to by the museums, professional organizations, and workshops found among the last few entries below.

 

Crown Library Holdings

     The Rebecca Crown Library at Dominican University of River Forest Illinois has a rich collection of books about books and book printing and history. The presence of the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at Dominican assures a far reaching range of titles in the book arts. 

     Subject headings for a search can include: Early printed books, Printing  -- History – Europe (or country, region, period of your choice), Book industries and trade, Printing--Social aspects, Manuscripts, General  -- Art – Typography, Publishing, Publishing – History –General – General, Technology & Engineering – Technical & Manufacturing Industries and Trades, Gutenberg, Johan, 1397-1468, Bookbinding.

http://www.dom.edu/library

Johannes Gutenberg 1397-1468

     Gutenberg’s genius lay in adapting existing technology, a press, with his unique development, movable type. This  University of Texas education module website attempts to unravel the mystery of the man and the early years of his world changing innovation. Far beyond a bit of detective work, this resource incorporates high resolution images and detailed discussion, to trace the development of the book from antiquity to today. 

http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/educator/modules/gutenberg/books/legacy/

Papermaking

     One shared aim of the following two organizations  is to promote study of the many aspects of papermaking. Another is to promote research and innovation in the trade. Students and professionals alike will benefit from the wealth of articles, photographs, and references that address  the history and growth of  the papermaking industry. Both site offer an extensive directory of lnks to professional associations, museums, and schools. 

The Robert C. Williams Paper Museum, Georgia Institute of Technology

http://www.ipst.gatech.edu/amp/index.html

British Association of Paper Historians

http://www.baph.org.uk/

Movable Type

Typefoundry: Documents for the History of Type and Letterforms

     Letterpress printing is a type of relief printing, meaning that the inked letters or image is literally pressed into the paper with a printing press, giving it the very distinct and tactile quality. The Typefoundry blog is a valuable resource of information, pictures, and explanations of typecasting. It serves admirably to impart the deep significance of letterforms, trade argot and practices, and the history of the typecaster’s craft. 

http://typefoundry.blogspot.com

Bookbinding and Conservation

A Dictionary of Descriptive Terminology

     This cross referenced and illustrated publication is from CoOL, Conservation Online, a project of the Preservation Department of Stanford University Libraries and Academic Information Resources. The carefully cited and often lengthy entries comprise the substantial facets of bookbinding and conservation. The CoOL logo links to conservation topics, organizations, and further links of interest to professional and academic researchers. 

http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/don/don.html

The Spread of Printing Across Europe

     Gutenberg's printing technology quickly spread from Mainz to Subiaco in Italy (1465), Paris (1470), and London (1476). By the beginning of the 16th century, there were approximately 240 printing shops in Europe. This well provided University of Iowa site focuses on the 15^th century. The Atlas of Early Printing visually renders the spread of printing across Europe at the time. The wealth of links and resources provide for further study and inquiry.

http://atlas.lib.uiowa.edu/index.html

History and Technology

The two sites below differ in their approaches to outlining the background of printing. The Museum Plantin-Moretus traces one family’s involvement in the trade, with many photographs depicting to preserved printshop and workrooms. The University of Delaware site undertakes a scholarly approach to the history of printing through its collections of rare books and archival materials. Provided links to other academic institutions extend the range of materials available to researchers. 

Museum Plantin-Moretus/Prentenkabinet  

http://museum.antwerpen.be/plantin_moretus/index_eng.html

The Special Collections Department of the University of Delaware

http://www.lib.udel.edu/ud/spec/guides/bookarts.htm#intro

Smell Some Ink

Basler Papiermühle 

     To gather the experiences of early printing practices, a visit to Basler Papiermühle is recommended. This museum offers courses and workshops, equipmental rental, shopping, and a full service printshop. From papermaking to binding, the facility uses historically authentic processes, as well as modern ones, to manufacture a wide range of  products. The links page is well stocked with the names of many Basel museums and others in the region. Also, there are links to paper museums in Europe, Asia, and the United States.

http://www.papiermuseum.ch/en/the-museum/A-working-museum  

Desktop Publishing in the 19th Century

“Proudly introducing the bleeding-edge world of personalized desktop publishing circa 1820.” 

     This New York based enterprise is many things to many people. Primarily a resource for information limited to private letterpresses,  the site also offers classified ads, pictures of dozens of the machines and tools of the trade. The header resembles a typecase, and each letter and numeral acts as a link to material with that first initial or number. The extensive discussion forum covers a wide range of topics related to the craft and business of printing.

http://www.briarpress.org/

For Librarians

Library Binding Institute

 This website is a valuable resource for librarians interested in the protection and longevity of their collections. The brief glossary is sufficient to inform a buyer of bindery services. Publications offered through the site include the latest library binding standard. Particularly useful at this business website is the links page, with is lists of library groups, printing and publishing sites, and education and funding sources.

http://lbibinders.org

Contemporary Book Arts

     The following two organizations reflect the healthy state of  interest in traditional printing. The San Francisco Center for the Book promotes promotes historic and experimental book forms. The robustness of the organization is reflected in its rich website. Resources, events, workshopa, and opportunities for involvement abound.

     Bookarts issues are addressed in the Bonefolder blog found at the Book Arts Web. Also, extensive links are provided,  as well as a list of exhibitions and dozens of letterpress and printmaking resourses. 

The San Francisco Center for the Book

http://www.sfcb.org

The Book Arts Web

http://www.philobiblon.com/

The American Printing History Association

The American Printing History Association publishes the scholarly journal Printing History. Its quarterly newsletter, published since 2000, invites articles, book reviews, news of events, and features. The resource links for book, printing, and publishing history emphasize research level material. Though nominally an American organization, many links point to British and European schools, businesses, and organizations.

http://www.printinghistory.org/apha.html