This database is a finding aid to the British Library's bookbinding collections. It includes information and images for selected items from the Library's rich collection of fine bindings of books printed in western Europe from the fifteenth century to date. There is also a selection from the valuable bookbindings collections of the Library's partner, the National Library of the Netherlands. The database is a work in progress and its scope will be widened as resources allow.

You can
   •   view a random selection of bindings images in the picture gallery;
   •   perform a keyword search;
   •   carry out a more advanced search by combining search terms from the descriptive categories;
   •   browse the terms in the descriptive categories listed to the left of the advanced search boxes;
   •   follow up your search using the bibliography.

For details of how to use the system, see our search tips.

Release: PROD 1.4.0.0 (Discovery version: 1.4.0.0)