Connoisseurship of nineteenth and early twentieth century publishers' bookbindings

The vast majority of historically significant nineteenth- and early-twentieth century publishers' bookbindings reside in the general collections of research libraries. In no way does this minimize the importance of this material historically nor the library's professional obligation to guarantee its protection. Unique or extremely rare examples of original publishers', binders', and designers' works, of value simply by virtue of their limited survival rate, reside unrecognized in the open stacks. Consequently, this circulating material is subject to wear, and remains at risk of being lost through inappropriate book repair practices and commercial rebinding, a tragedy not restricted to U.S. libraries.