Reading Copy Book Blog

An illuminated manuscript is any manuscript whose text is accompanied by decoration. It originally referred only to silver or gilt adornments, but came to be acceptable terminology for any manuscript with drawings, paintings or decorations such as ornate initials, borders, floral accoutrements and the like. Often the illuminations would depict a historical or rural/pastoral scene. [...]

The image on the left is from an 1802 book called Histoire naturelle generale et particulière des Mollusques by Denys Montfort. The image on the right is one I came across today, from 2004, listed as original children’s book art by Tom Leonard, and called Mysterious Giant Squid. The Kraken hasn’t changed much in 202 [...]

Here, this beautiful bouquet (book-et?) is for you. I picked all dozen flowers myself.

Sometimes less is more. The minimalist art movement originated in 1960s New York City. It tended toward simplicity and focus, rather than ornate background or decoration. Many book designers have utilized these principles, eschewing the busy and elaborate in favor of the bare essentials. Enjoy this selection of books whose eye-catching design proves that a [...]

Bookbinding’s history is rooted in craftsmanship and devotion to the written word. While hand-binding is less common now, there is happily a creative minority dedicated to its preservation. These skilled artisans create custom bindings for clients, for exhibition and for pleasure. Sometimes more than one copy is produced, but no two will ever be identical. [...]

There’s a lot of talk of wild things around the office here, today, and talk of curdmudgeons and cantankerousness, love of animals and children. Maurice Sendak, who has passed away at age 83, had a notable effect on books, and people who love books, like us. A famously blunt, outspoken and excitable grump, he always [...]

I love when booksellers take advantage of this feature on the site that allows users to supply multiple images for one listing. It’s an excellent way to better showcase a book – not only the cover, but also details of any damage, the copyright page, any special features of the book, illustrations, and of course, [...]

Sometimes the listings just speak for themselves: Original clay cuneiform cone, circa 2350 BCE. Housed in custom-made Sangorski and Sutcliffe (of London) full morocco clamshell slipcase with velvet interior. Cuneiform cones, or nails, were commonly buried under the foundations, or built into the walls, of important public buildings and temples as ritual dedications. This cone [...]

Beautiful vintage airline posters and vintage travel posters are a gorgeous way to remember when airline travel was a treat.

Beautiful books with retro cover art, from the 1950s and 1960s.