Book by Design: The Remarkable Story of the World’s Greatest Invention

The Book by Design celebrates the book in all its forms, whether manuscript, scroll, concertina, movable, codex, digital. Based around 20 significant items in the Library’s collections, this new publication traces major moments in the history of this remarkable invention. Each one has a distinctive and successful design, ranging from famous examples, such as the Lindisfarne Gospels and The Grammar of Ornament to lesser-known formats such as Southeast Asian palm leaf books and Russian futurist wallpaper books.

Interspersed between the main chapters are shorter features on particular aspects of book production or book types. These allow the reader to explore more idiosyncratic areas of the Library collections, including the modern Mesoamerican codex and cartonera books of Latin America, and the intricate design of human atlases.

Bringing together the unrivalled insight and expertise of the Library’s curatorial teams and illustrated with spectacular new studio photography, this is an essential addition to the personal library of anyone passionate about books and their design.

Format: Hardback
Pages: 288
Imprint: British Library Pubns
Publication date: 07/09/2023