Highlighting the diversity of global book making traditions using examples from the Princeton University Library (PUL), the exhibition will focus on the continuous transmission and exchange of formal aspects in the world’s three major lineages of the book form: the codex, the East Asian, and the pothī traditions. Representative works, ranging from the humble to the spectacular, are supplemented by some items less easily defined as “books,” but commonly collected by libraries. 

The exhibition celebrates the diverse nature of books and includes many items rarely seen, reflecting PUL’s work to make its collections in historically understudied languages, scripts, and forms more accessible. In addition to items from Princeton’s already well-known large Islamic, East Asian and Meso-American collections of manuscripts and printed books, this exhibition also features items from many less well-known smaller collections from all over the world.

Curated by Martin Heijdra, Director, East Asian Library

Members of the public are welcome to visit the exhibition between 10:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M. on weekdays, and between 11:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Milberg Gallery is open to the public.