The V&A’s collections include artists’ books, children’s books, examples of early printing and illumination, modern book design, dust jackets and graphic novels. Most of these are held in the National Art Library.
The History of the Dust Jacket
Dust jackets were first developed during the 19th century as plain protective wrappings for books bound in fine materials such as leather or silk. The late 19th century saw…
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The British Library Dust Jackets Collection
The British Library collection of dust jackets is held on loan by the V&A at Blythe House. Begun in the 1920s, the collection now contains over 11,000 items, including not …
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What the Victorians Read at Christmas
The commercialisation of Christmas, which many today consider a bane of modern life, in fact has its origins in the 1840s. Henry Cole sent the first Christmas card (now in …
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The Booker Prize
First awarded in 1969, the Booker Prize was created to reward the best new novel of the year in Britain and the Commonwealth, encouraging the wider reading of the very best…
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The Book of Trades (Das Ständebuch)
The Book of Trades was published in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, in 1568, with text by Hans Sachs (1494–1576) and illustrations by Jost Amman (1539–91). It features detailed…
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The Book of Hours of Louis XII
The Hours of Louis XII was one of the greatest French illuminated manuscripts of the Renaissance. A prayer book, it was decorated by Jean Bourdichon for the French ruler Lo…
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Caring for Your Books & Papers
This section contains information and advice on how to look after paper and books. It highlights common problems, tells you what to avoid and provides practical, step-by-st…
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Become a V&A Member
V&A Members enjoy a wealth of benefits, including free entry to exhibitions, previews, exciting events and the V&A Members’ Room. In addition, you will be supporting the vital work of the V&A.
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Merchant & Mills Sewing Book (Hardcover)
Keep it simple and do it well. The Merchant & Mills Sewing Book contains fifteen step-by-step projects aimed at guiding you gently but firmly thro…
Buy nowEvent - Central Saint Martins Highlights Tour
Tue 15 October 2013 11:00
The Museum and Study Collection at Central Saint Martins has been more than a century in the making and includes illuminated manuscripts, early printed books, type designs by Johnston and Gill, twentieth-century textiles and work by more recent graduates such as John Galliano and Alexander McQueen.
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