LibGuides: History of the Book: Books

Some good introductions

ABC for book collectors by John Carter
Call Number: Z1006 .C37 2004
Publication Date: 2004 (8th edition)
The classic dictionary of rare book vocabulary -- but more entertaining and compelling than it sounds. Also editions available in Special Collections.
Books as history: the importance of books beyond their texts by David Pearson
Call Number: Z4.P43 2008
Publication Date: 2008
A concise, well illustrated, and very approachable introduction to the importance of books as cultural artifacts.
A short history of the printed word by Warren Chappell
Call Number: Z124 .C47
Publication Date: 1970
Highly recommended for those wanting an approachable introduction to the history of printing.
Available in both the circulating collection and Special Collections.
Five hundred years of printing by Sigfrid H. Steinberg
Call Number: Z124 .S8 1996
ISBN: 1884718191
Publication Date: 1996 (revised by John Trevitt)
If you're looking for something a bit more academic than Chappell, this classic may be for you.
Available in both the circulating collection and Special Collections. Also older editions available.
A new introduction to bibliography by Philip Gaskell
Call Number: Z116.A2 G27
Publication Date: 1972
An ultra-classic on the minutia of early printed books. Well illustrated, well indexed, and well organized, and thus easy to use as a handbook.
Also available as an e-book.
An introduction to bibliography for literary students by Ronald B. McKerrow
Call Number: Z1001.M16 1994
Publication Date: 1994 (latest edition)
The forerunner to Gaskell and still a worthy introduction, but not as comprehensive and not as well illustrated. If you want a quicker introduction to the minutia than Gaskell offers, try this.

Beyond basics

Principles of bibliographical description by Fredson Bowers
Call Number: Z1001 .B78 1994
Publication Date: 1994 (most recent edition)
If you've read Gaskell and long for greater detail. Not for the faint of heart. While its focus is guiding the creation of bibliographical descriptions, it provides many insights into the production of early printed books.
The Oxford companion to the book
Call Number: Z4.O946 2010
A two-volume encyclopedia packed with concise, authoritative articles on all things book history.

MSU Libraries

Research Guides

History of the Book

Some good introductions

Beyond basics