Nature of the Book
Smithsonian Libraries and Archives
Scope of Work
Smithsonian Exhibits worked with Smithsonian Libraries and Archives on the exhibition, Nature of the Book which explores the craft, innovation, and ingenuity of the handmade book of centuries past. It tells a story of both local resourcefulness and global influence—from Asia, the Middle East and North Africa—that was essential to the Western book as we know it.
The exhibition examines books of the hand-press era (from the use of moveable type in Europe in about 1450 to the rise of mechanization in the 19th century) through the myriad natural materials—animal, vegetable, and mineral—that went into their making. From essential ingredients like flax, leather, copper, and lead, to the unexpected, like wasps and seaweed, Nature of the Book shows what the use of these materials can tell us about the book, touching on questions of use, process, global trade, and economy.
Nature of the Book is made possible through the generous support of The Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation and the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives Advisory Board
SIE Departments Involved:
- Exhibit Planning
- Exhibit Design
- Graphic Production
- 3D Studio
- Fabrication
- Installation/Rotation Support
