#Animated binfer covers series

As early as 1520, what we call the title page appeared, with the title, the author and the bookstore (which often rhymed with publisher) hierarchized on the first page. With the increase in the number of printed books, the colophon is less convenient to consult, and gradually migrates to the front of the book. Information about the author, the translator if necessary, the name of the printer or copyist, the date or place are written at the end of the book in what is called a colophon (from Greek, meaning completion) like this one from 1607. The title appears on the edge around the 16th century only. I n the 16th century, it is the Genesis of the modern book as we know it: without clasp, with a hard cover, smaller format, easier to carry. Then the clasps go out of fashion and are gradually replaced by strings and finally nothing more - except for some precious books. They are designed to be laid flat and well protected. Actually, we're not talking about the cover yet, but the binding.įor the sake of protection, books were often closed with metal or leather clasps until the end of the 15th century. A wooden plate is pressed between two pieces of fabric or leather, attached to the codex (the set of sheets folded into sheets), itself bound by hand. If the bindings illustrate the holiness of their contents, they all have the role of protecting the scriptures. To judge a book by its cover Protective binding (until the 16th century) Even if we are still far from the paperback books which will appear 500 years later (sorry for the spoil), it is well the revolution at the time. Thanks to Wikipedia who teaches us a lot about the history of printing. We pass from 15 000 000 printed books in Europe at the dawn of the invention of Gutenberg to more than 200 000 000 books a century later, and 1 000 000 000 printed books in the 18th century (that makes a lot of zero). With the invention of lead movable type printing by this dear Gutenberg in 1450, we see the appearance of more and more books a little less precious, with embossed leather covers. But it will take time to go from precious stone inlays to polychrome prints! A few centuries and several wars, to be precise. The book is the cover to protect and enhance it. This radical change marks the birth of the book as we know it today, or almost. 'French paperback, contemporary graphic design and covers'Īs early as the 3rd century, papyrus rolls (volumen) from antiquity are now folded and assembled in codex.

#Animated binfer covers series

So here is the first article in our series scanning the graphic evolution of book covers to the present day, through its most striking revolutions. However, the history of this modest rectangle of paper is rich in lessons, moving from the conservation function of the first manuscripts to the object of great consumption, it animated generations of graphic designer. Today, the cover is a real marketing object and plays the role of packaging for literature.

Yet we all know how important 'first impressions' are. Hence the importance of the 'cover' in the desire to read this or that book. In Molière's language we like to say that 'the habit does not make the monk', but the Shakespearian equivalent will be ' don't judge a book by its cover'. Here is a new series of articles dedicated to the history of book cover design. Panorama of book covers through the ages!