this book has a beautiful gilt cover...i'm not really sure how the title relates to the text...maybe it's something i'm missing (referring to books for the masses?). anyways...this used to belong to a church congregation and it must have sat on a library shelf for years because it is in excellent condition. just a loose spine which has been repaired in a few places. all of the paper is hallmarked with the printer's mark (which i've never seen in another book).
as a reference tool this book is remarkable! it includes all kinds of information on bookmaking (past and present)...
the origin of the alphabet
types of paper
books in manuscript
woodcuts and block books
typography
the invention of printing
the venetian masters
early illustrated books
the study of the incunabula
roman type design
the printing press
benjamin franklin
isaiah thomas
william morris
bookmaking and its process
type design (have you seen helvetica?)
book illustration
the art of bookbinding
modern fine printing
and much much more...including a ton of illustrations. this book is 2" thick!
the golden book: the story of fine books and bookmaking - past & present by douglas c. mcmurtrie
second edition, 1927, pascal covici, chicago
Posts
