Thomas Rowlandson (1756–1827), ‘Inside View of the Public Library, Cambridge’ (1809). (Classmark: Maps Fr.y.14)

Sandars 2023 - Lecture One

Tue 21 November 2023

Robinson College

'Picking up the threads'

Why are Cambridge bookbindings interesting? In this opening Sandars lecture 2023, Dr David Pearson will set out a rationale and context for studying them in our book-historical landscape, and pick up the story of Tudor-era binding from those who have worked on it previously. It will describe the evolution of Cambridge binding from the late fifteenth century to the end of the sixteenth, looking at designs, materials, techniques, and ways in which these things can be recognised and dated. The conclusions of earlier writers on Cambridge binding will be reviewed and refined, and draw attention to a range of sixteenth-century binderies which have not hitherto been documented as Cambridge work.

Hosted in-person in the Riley Auditorium at Robinson College, and live-streamed using Zoom. A recording of this lecture will also be made available.

Attendees of this lecture are invited back to Cambridge University Library for a drinks reception and display until 7.30pm.

Full event details and accessibility information can be found at https://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/whats/sandars-2023-lecture-1.

Cost: Free