The physical properties of books can be as delightful as the contents, but
why are they the way they are? Technology and the book is the theme of Towards
Today’s Book by Arthur Chick. He concentrates on 19th-century Britain, but
ranges from Nuremberg (smugglers of marbled endpapers) to the first halftone (in
New York’s Daily Graphic). Published by Farrand Press, London, £29.95,
ISBN 1850830428.
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