Book Design
A collection highlighting the design elements of the book
Overview
This collection of some 15,000 books represents the history of British book design and production from the early 19th century to the present day. It embraces the book as an artefact, with books being collected for their design in addition to their content.
The main emphasis is on finely printed and illustrated books providing examples of all elements of book design such as cover design, binding, printing techniques, typography and illustration. British private presses can be studied alongside commercial publishing from the late 19th century to date.
Image: ‘Polychromatic decoration as applied to buildings in the mediaeval styles’ written by William and George Audsley, printed by Firmin-Didot et Cie. Henry Sotheran & Co., 1882.
Strengths of the collection include:
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books produced by historic private presses, such as the Kelmscott Press, through to contemporary presses, such as the Fleece Press
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books illustrated with wood engraved prints, including work by artist/engravers such as Thomas Bewick, Gertrude Hermes, Agnes Miller Parker and John Farleigh
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chromolithography in book illustration, from the commercial work of Owen Jones in the mid 19th century to artist lithographers, such as Barnett Freedman, in the mid 20th century
- the development of book cover design from the Arts and Crafts work of T. J. Cobden Sanderson through to the three panel designs of early Penguin covers and the illustrative covers of artists such as David Gentleman and Paul Hogarth
You can search the collection online using the Search link below. To view it in person, you can either drop-in to the Reading Room during our opening hours or book an appointment in advance. If you’d like to bring your students to see some of the collection, enquire about group visit.
Access the collection
Photography and Copyright
You can photograph our collections for personal study and research only. Just ask for a Photography Permission Form when you visit.
If you’re not able to visit us in person, we may be able to send you a scan or photograph of the item instead.
Contact us if you need an image for use in social media, print or online publication, or commercial purposes.
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