The new display in the Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections & Archives is called “Can You Judge a Book by Its Cover?: Examples of the Bookbinder’s Art.” This display contains a wide variety of bindings that showcases the craftsmanship and beauty that is inherent in wrapping a book to protect it. Examples include artist’s books, traditional fine bindings, miniature books as well as a selection of colorful stamped cloth bindings from the late Victorian age. This display will run from February 1st until May 30th.

A display case with three glass shelves, each containing a number of artists' books.

Part of the display, featured in the hallway outside Special Collections.

Along with the books, the display contains choice quotes by authors, including Cornelia Funke, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, and Laini Taylor about the importance of books as beautiful objects.

A piece of paper in a display, with text that reads "I love books. Not just for what they contain. I love them as objects, too, as ever-present reminders of what they contain, and because they are beautiful. - Laini Taylor."

One of the quotes in the display.

My personal favorite part of the display is the case full of miniature books. My eye was drawn immediately to the little “Nutshell Library,” containing four short children’s books by Maurice Sendak, as I owned a copy of this set growing up.

Come by Special Collections this semester to see the display in person and pick out your favorite!