Suave Mechanicals: A Celebration of Nine Volumes on the Art and History of Bookbinding (2013–2025)
| When | September 8 - December 15 |
|---|---|
| Where | Hatcher Gallery Exhibit Room Hatcher Library North, First Floor, Room 100J View building informationView floor plan |
| Event type | Exhibit |
Explore the art of judging books by their covers! This exhibit highlights a selection of rare books from the University of Michigan's collections, each of them representing binding topics featured in "Suave Mechanicals," the acclaimed nine-volume series dedicated to the study of the art and history of bookbinding.
Spanning from 2013 to 2025, "Suave Mechanicals" contains 85 essays, 27 of which examine the same type of binding as the artifacts on display. Edited by Julia Miller and published by Cathleen A. Baker of The Legacy Press, the series was conceived as a platform for fresh, in-depth scholarship on bookbinding, from its earliest origins to contemporary practice.
Contributors include first-time authors and established experts — bookbinders, conservators, librarians, curators, catalogers, book artists, collectors, and historians — offering a vibrant array of voices and insights into the craftsmanship, culture, and enduring fascination of bookbinding.
Join us for Coffee with the Curator on October 1, 10am-12pm.
Euchologion (Mich. Ms. 130), Soumela Monastery, Turkey, dated 1553 CE; and a collection of historical models made by Anna Embree.
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Library contact
Pablo Alvarez · pabloalv@umich.edu
Library events are free and open to the public, and we are committed to making them accessible to attendees. If you anticipate needing accommodations to participate, please notify the listed contact with as much notice as possible.