The Smithsonian Book of Books - Hardcover

Olmert, Michael

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0517147254 ISBN 13: 9780517147252

Publisher: Random House Value Publishing, 1995

Synopsis

A history of book making cites examples from as far back as the eighth century, reveals the stories behind the makings of famous works, and includes such chapters as The Book Maker's Craft and Scrolls and Scribes.

About this title

About the Author

Michael Olmert is the author of Milton's Teeth and Ovid's Umbrella. Christopher de Hamel is Donnelley Fellow Librarian, Corpus Christi College and former curator of Western and Oriental manuscripts at Sotheby's.

From Library Journal

There is a common misconception about books which look good on coffee tables that they must be intellectually deficient and lacking in content. That premise certainly doesn't hold true for this enjoyable publication. Its scope is broad, for it includes information not only on the history of books but also on the evolution of the printing industry, libraries, medieval illumination and modern illustration, the book trade (including book fairs and bookstores), problems with bookworms (genus Anobium , not avid readers), and methods of conservation. The illustrations, most of which are in color, are taken from such sources as Pompeian walls, papyrus scrolls, medieval parchment and vellum manuscripts, woodcuts, frescoes, and panel paintings. If the author errs, it is in trying to present too much information and in sometimes failing to define terms adequately. Nonetheless, this is a fine addition to any library and should appeal especially to book collectors, librarians, and--because of its many illustrations--art historians and picture researchers.
- Margarete Gross, Chicago P.L.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Random House Value Publishing
• Publication date: 1995
• ISBN 10: 0517147254
• ISBN 13: 9780517147252
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 320