First edition. Spine lightly faded, else a near fine copy, and very difficult to find.

The published record of the 13th series of Panizzi Lectures, delivered by Dr. Foot at The British Library in the Autumn of 1997. A well illustrated survey exploring the use and purpose of bookbindings and the purpose of the study of the book as a physical object. Mirjam M. Foot shows "how the technique of binding and decorating books reflect developments in the book trade itself, and how the production of the binding links with questions of authorship, publishing, reading and collecting; how it relates to the spread of literacy and learning, to education, and to religion, but also to economic and political circumstances and social attitudes." From the reference library of Philadelphia Rare Books & Manuscripts with their bookplate included.