All books in this collection are cataloged, and should be requested individually in CLIO. This record is for informational purposes only.
The Book Arts Collection is both a major collection of examples of fine printing and book illustration, and a collection of books about various phases of bookmaking and related subjects. Book Arts was established in 1938, currently contains over 15,000 volumes and growing. The older part of the collection is shelved in Dewey classification. In 1975, we switched to a slightly-modified Library of Congress classification. Both Dewey and Library of Congress sets include BOOKART prefix). Additional cross-collection card catalogs of designers (654: 25A) illustrators (654: 25B-I) imprints (654 Mez: 62A-F), bindings (654: 24I-J, 654 Mez: 52C, 13V:1D) and presses (654: 26A-27H) are no longer maintained, but could still be useful.
You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.
All books in this collection are cataloged, and should be requested individually in CLIO. This record is for informational purposes only.
Associated ephemera was processed as a separate archival collection (https://clio.columbia.edu/catalog/14216190). The RBML collection of type specimens is one of the best in this country.
Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library