From exquisite medieval bookbindings made of precious metals and jewels to the unique and highly imaginative creations of contemporary bookbinders, this book celebrates over 100 of the most beautiful bookbindings of the last 1000 years. Fully illustrated in colour, with specially commissioned studio photography, this book provides a visual overview of the development of this splendid art form. The book focuses on the craft of hand-bookbinding which existed until the Victorian era when mass-produced 'trade' bindings took over. Bookbinding as a craft form never disappeared, however, and the second half of the 20th century saw a significant revival. The introduction provides an engaging overview of the history and techniques of the craft and of its most important practitioners. Visually stunning, this book will have a wide appeal to anyone with an interest in visual arts, crafts and book history. Includes 120 stunning examples from the British Library's collections. - Publisher.