Exhibit: Judging a Book by Its Cover: The History of Early Printed Books

This is an exhibit of projects made in HS423901 Early Printed Books: History and Craft, co-taught by Professor Virginia Reinburg with Burns Library Conservator Barbara Adams Hebard.

The student curators wrote this introduction:

Judging a book by its cover can sometimes be a worthy practice, as the outside of a book can reveal just as much as the inside. In the Early Printed Books course we have had the opportunity to explore both the origins of the printed book as we know it today, and the resulting interaction between oral and written cultures. We have studied printing, bookselling, and reading practices, and have been able to study in depth books from the John J. Burns Library. Practical application also features in this course: we have worked in the conservation lab, using the tools, paper, leather, and vellum that were used in the production of early printed books, as well as producing our own volvelles, paste paper covered pamphlets, and St. Gall books, on display in this exhibition.

The volvelles, pamphlets, and St. Gall books will be displayed through Dec 8, 2016. A second installation in the same location, running from Dec 9,

2016 through January 11, 2017, will feature girdle books, blind tooled plaques, and vellum covered pamphlets.

Sponsored by the Boston College Libraries

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