Exhibitions
The Book Beautiful
An Exhibition of Private Press Books from the Sterling Library
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6 May - 24 October 2003
Senate House Library is privileged to hold amongst its many fine collections an extensive and representative selection of private press books from the late 19th century to the present day. Most are held in the Sterling Library, thanks to the collecting genius of Sir Louis Sterling, and are, singly and collectively by press, fine examples of "the book beautiful". They are pleasing artefacts in their own right, many with exquisite bindings, engravings and hand-colouring, created lovingly and with care to be enjoyed. They are also, today, used for research and teaching in the history of the book, to illustrate the finest examples of printing, typesetting and hand-binding from generations of craftsmen and artists. We are delighted to be able to display these fine volumes and hope that you will find works which will surprise and delight you.
The Sterling Library
The private collection of rare and first editions of Sir Louis Sterling (1879-1958) comprises 4,200 volumes received in 1956, supplemented by purchases from an endowment fund and other gifts. Some 100 manuscripts complement the collection of printed books, now well over 7,000 volumes, forming an unusually integrated resource for research on the transmission of English literary texts from the 14th century to the present. While early works include such treasures as all four Shakespeare folios, the strengths of the collections are primarily 18th to early 20th century literary classics, especially fine or association copies. Illustrated and extra-illustrated books form a further strand of the collection. The works of English and Irish private presses enhance all three other areas in addition to constituting an independent strength. The Library continues to collect editions from modern private presses such as Fleece, Whittington, Gregynog and Old Stile.
Click here for details of the Exhibition Cases 
Access
Access to the exhibitions held in Senate House Library is free. Please enquire at the Library Membership Desk for an Exhibition pass. For further information call 020 7862 8415.
