Fine and trade bindings

The Special Printed Collections include many fine and trade bindings of English and European origin dating from the 15th century to the present day. Nineteenth- and early 20th-century binders such as Zaehnsdorf, Riviere, Sangorski & Sutcliffe, Ramage, and Bedford are strongly represented. Other named binders include Kalthoeber, Payne, Staggemeier, and the New Zealand binder Edgar Mansfield.

In addition to the main covering materials of calf, goat, sheep, pigskin, textile, and vellum, there are a number of other covering materials including original paper wrappers and embroidered bindings. There are also examples of gauffering, fore-edge paintings, armorial bindings, silk and leather doublures, and medieval manuscript fragments used as binding material.

More about the Turnbull Library's Special Printed Collections

Access items in this collection

Items from the Collection can be used onsite in the research reading room on the first floor of the Library on weekdays. Items need to be ordered in advance for use on Saturday mornings.

Images of bindings are being added to catalogue records on the National Library Catalogue. To call up a list of images:

1. Go to the National Library Catalogue
2. Enter the term 'spc digital' in the 'Search for' box
3. Select 'Call Number (Begins with)' in the 'Using' drop-down menu.
4. Select the 'link to digital image' button, which appears near the end of the page.

Many other bindings are uncatalogued. For access to uncatalogued material, contact the Curator of the Special Printed Collections.

Get copies from items in this collection

You can order digital photographs and microfilm copies of items in this collection.

Photocopies are possible under certain circumstances, depending upon the physical condition of the item. Photocopies are made by Library staff.

More about making copies

More about copyright and usage

Get help

We can answer your enquiries in person, by letter, phone or email.

Image

Brown goatskin binding with gold-tooled dentelle border and central armorial device of Alexander H. Turnbull. Bound by Zaehnsdorf. Upper cover of The bride's tragedy, by Thomas Lovell Beddoes (London: Printed for F.C. & J. Rivington ..., 1822). Rare English Collection, Special Printed Collections, Alexander Turnbull Library.