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

Sandars 2023 - Lecture Two

Wed 22 November 2023

Robinson College

“We have places that have been famous for binding, as Cambridge, Eton, and London”

John Bagford’s observation, made about 1700, is a good starting point for surveying seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Cambridge binding work, though much of it has yet to acquire fame. This lecture with Sandars Reader 2023, Dr David Pearson, will continue the chonological narrative, illustrating characteristics of Cambridge bindings through the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, referring to binders when we know them, while recognising that this is not always possible. It will also look at some examples which allow us to observe the range of binding styles and qualities which Cambridge workshops could offer, to think about motivations, and to compare Cambridge with Oxford, the other major British binding centre outside London.

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.

Full event details and accessibility information can be found at https://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/whats/sandars-2023-lecture-2.

Hosted by Cambridge University Libraries.

Cost: Free