Publishers’ Bindings through the Decades

Major movements in the design and overall look of publishers' bindings can be better understood by reviewing the bindings themselves as a group by decade. We have created a gallery search for eleven periods covered in the scope of the PBO project. In addition, each decade gallery provides end users with interesting information about the styles of that period, as well as some insight into the major literary, cultural, and historical events that occured during the decade.

These decades galleries are interesting to explore not only on a visual level, but they also prove excellent tools for the study of American history and culture. Click on a book or a date range below to get started.