The first known bookbindings in the Czech Republic came into existence in the Romanesque period. This period in bookbinding lasted from the 11th to the 13th century. Romanesque bindings, which are precious in our country, are introduced in framed panels with photos of these bindings on display in the back rooms of the museum. On another panels are images of prominent Czech and German bindings from the Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, Classic and Art Nouveau periods, as well as several important bindings from the 20th century.

Missal of Abbot Zikmund
from Monastery in Tepla, from 1461

In the entrance hall of the museum there are two display cases with actual historical bindings. It starts with a facsimile of an interesting German gothic leather cuir-cisele binding from the 15th century, which has an image of St. Dorothy and baby Jesus with a three-wheel walker on the front board.

Facsimile of German Gothic binding from 15th century.

Bookbinding in the 20th Century

This is the title of a pivotal and ever growing collection in the museum. It currently includes 77 bookbindings, predominantly design bindings. Most bindings are made out of leather, parchment or half-leather, some of cloth or paper. Many are covered with hand-made or colored decorative paper. They are made with various bookbinding techniques, using many different types of decorations.

“Le Labourd” –binding by Philip Smith

The goal of the museum to have at least one binding of all prominent Czech bookbinders of the 20th century is unfortunately not yet finalized. It is particularly difficult to obtain bindings of bookbinders that are no longer with us. The museum has nevertheless managed to obtain bindings from 30 of these bookbinders.

“Malir na fronte” – design binding by Jindřich Svoboda

The remaining bindings are from living Czech binders (most of them are “Masters of Design bookbinding”), and 16 binders from other countries. There is one binding from England, Japan, Spain, Austria and Tibet. There are three bindings from Slovakia and Germany, and five from the U.S.A.

“Grimm’s Fairy Tales” – book object by Jarmila Sobotova

This exposition starts in the entrance hall with two display cases showing the work of the Sobota bookbinding family. The fairy tale theme and uniqueness of these bindings, makes them a prefect match to the mystical exhibit Back to the Legends.

“Devil’s Head” - book object by Jan Sobota

Back to Legends (Once Upon a Time)

Back to Legends (Once Upon a Time)
A large central glass case in the middle of the entrance hall is the first phase of this much-awaited exhibition. Here, you can see a large (more than a 1 m. high and weighing more than 38 kg) Hunting Diary belonging to King Charles IV from the 14th century. A parchment book block with end papers made out of colored goat parchment and sewn on seven double cords, extended in wooden boards, is covered with deer leather. It has an image of a deer and a dog made with cuir-cisele on cowhide in two central panels. The binding, which has leather-sewn headbands, is equipped with embossed brass corners and simple gothic-style brass clasps.

It is a reconstruction based on preserved fragments found in excavations of the Loket castle, and studies of historical books and documents. Work is currently being done on rescuing and restoring pages that include a description of the king’s deer hunt, his discovery of the Carlsbad springs, and the subsequent founding of the city of Carlsbad.
Fragments of books and other cultural items from the iron, bronze, stone and even ice age were found during further archaeological excavations around the castle. They bear witness to the historical importance of this unique city and the culture of the ancestors who lived in this area throughout the centuries. A team of carefully selected experts is working on making these artifacts available to be exhibited in the museum.

Hunting Diary of King Charles IV. – Facsimile by Jan Sobota

Bookbinding Workshop

The exhibit ends with a look at a bookbinding workshop from the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century. It is located at the end of the right-hand hallway, on the right. The workshop is fully functioning with all of the necessary machines, implements and tools. A training book and Apprenticeship Form by the bookbinder Jiri Maca from Cheb from the year 1946 are historical additions to the workshop.
Another matter of interest is „Hands on“ workshop (organized according a schedule), where visitors may try one of the many bookbinding skills – gold tooling with the Museum’s blocking press.

Blocking press for gold tooling with brass plates