History of a Book: Exhibition of rare books of the XVII – early XX centuries “Old hardcover of books” in the Saratov region

The exhibition of rare books of the XVII - XX centuries "Old hardcover of books" from the collection of the Radishchev Museum opened on February 13, 2014 in Balakovskaya Art Gallery of the Saratov region.

Rare national and foreign editions of the museum library presented at the exhibition show the art of hardcover of books in all variety of forms, techniques, materials and styles of book design from different eras. The earliest books of the exhibition - "Gospel" in 1637 - a classic example of the external design of Old Russian book.

It is known that beautifully designed book has long been the subject of collecting. Most of the books at the exhibition, formerly owned by P. M. Maltsev, the Balakovsky merchant and real connoisseur of vintage books. Visitors can also see the publication of the owners' personal libraries bindings of Count A. Shakhovsky, daughter of the Saratov governor S. A. Panchulidzeva, art collector N. I. Nosov, as evidenced by the stamps and signatures on the pages of books and ex-libris located on hardcover and spines. The books donated by founder of the museum A. P. Bogolyubov, with his inscriptions are of great interest. On the bindings of some of them has gold embossed "RM" – the Radishchev Museum.

The museum copies superseded names of western bookbinders: Monier, Lenegre, Kirchner, Engel and many others. Subscription covers along with the book marks are of great value to researchers and contemporary bibliophiles.

Vintage covers, reflecting the culture and tastes of their era, preserving for us rare books, keep surprising grace, beauty and craftsmanship.