Join us for an open house exploring interesting bindings and enclosures on a selection of manuscripts, printed books, and artists’ books in terms of what they disguise and what they reveal. Our first introduction to a book often comes via its cover or enclosure. While many covers plainly identify and entice us to peruse their contents, others obscure what they protect and may even leave us wondering if what we’re looking at is in fact a book. Other covers are so captivating as to overshadow what they enclose, leaving us reluctant to venture past them for a look inside. Ultimately many covers and enclosures reveal a great deal more about their creators, owners and admirers than about the texts and images within.

This event is part of Special Collections After Hours, a monthly open house series sharing highlights from the many books, documents, and artifacts in our collections. Each event is open to everyone and will offer a new group of themed materials for visitors to explore. Open houses are held on the second Tuesday of each month during the academic year. Light refreshments will be provided.