Please check back soon for more books from the Book Arts Collection

The Book Arts is a branch of the visual arts that uses the book form as its principal medium.

The origins of modern book arts can be traced to William Morris and the Arts & Crafts movement of the late 19th century. He and his contemporaries felt that the quality of the printed book had been in decline since shortly after Gutenberg developed his printing and printed his famous Bible in 1455. They set about designing and producing the most splendid books they could imagine. They found the best materials available for their work and when the best wasn’t good enough had paper and type made to suit them.The most important result of their efforts might be that the attention of countless private book printers, illustrators and book binders who came after them was focused on the ideal of the beautiful book. Their ideas in turn continue to influence book design in our time as well.

Our collection contains examples of books that are mainly unusual for the quality of the hand work and materials that have gone into them. But the contemporary book artist has not always been satisfied with the traditional form and materials of the book and the collection contains examples of these unusual books as well.

The Book Arts Collection is non-circulating but the books can be viewed and handled in the library. Just ask a librarian for assistance. And please feel free to contact me for a guided tour for you or your organization.

Bob Walp, Curator
bob@chestercreekpress.com
www.chestercreekpress.com