The Once and Future Book Buchanan Library Fellows ~ Fall 2017
Incunables: The Original First Editions Some of the oldest books on earth, incunables are books printed before the year 1501. Taken from the Latin word, incunabulum or in the cradle, these are the first books actually printed in movable type. The incunabular age focused on many things, one of which was the past. Many incunables were written about classic literature and theology. In this case, one sees an epic Latin poem about Roman history and a commentary on the Book of Isaiah.
This case spotlights some of the oldest books we have here in the Vanderbilt Libraries. Located in the Special Collections section in the Central Library, I wanted to focus on a type of book called an incunabulum, or incunables for plural- which are books written before the year 1501 AD. One of the pieces was published in 1492 and features a printer s device called the colophon which is the identifying mark of a particular publisher. The second book in the exhibit is an incunabulum published in 1495, and features vellum (animal skin) tabs, like you might see in some dictionaries and other reference books. It also features a full-page woodcut of Jesus Christ and the Tree of Jesse, which originates to the Book of Isaiah in the Bible.
Binding: Bound to the Past, Looking to the Future Each and every book tell its reader a story. Most books rely upon the words written inside to take them on a journey, but what does the outside of the book reveal about the adventure? The unique role that a book s binding plays in its holistic story is examined and explored in this case. The pieces range from Mark Twain s recognizable and contemporary Life on the Mississippi to Institutionum Medicinae from 1555 and bound in vellum. Each piece has a different past and tells a unique story. It s up to you to discover what it is.
Paper: From Farm to Table Paper has been the main way to transmit knowledge since the first millennium. Before paper was made from cotton rags or wood pulp as we think of today, books were handwritten onto substances such as papyrus or parchment (animal hides). The creation of parchment required skinning an animal, stretching out the hide, wetting and drying it, and cutting it down using a special knife. Five pages of the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights were written on parchment. It wasn t until much later that the invention of the printing press would use stamping techniques to print on what we now call paper. Because of the skilled artisanship that paper production required, written knowledge was very valuable. As a result, texts were preserved, reused, recycled and handed down for generations.
Almanacs: From Field to Physician The word almanac presumably comes from the Saxon word almonaght, meaning the observation of all the moons. As early as the second millennium BCE, almanacs were used to track upcoming lunar cycles but also were calendars of religious holidays, astrological occurrences and meteorological projections. Farmers and physicians based their practices on almanacs, which told them the right time to sow a field or heal a patient. Almanacs were extremely popular in 17 th century England: one existed in almost every home. Today, almanacs are less likely to be found on the physician s shelf but are still popular with farmers.
Being a library fellow has truly been a life-changing experience. After hearing about the program over free ice cream, I immediately become invested. Learning about the history of bookmaking while producing an exhibit has truly provided a 360-degree educational experience. Getting to work with librarians has provided me an opportunity to expand my list of mentors and educators. Working in the in the special collections as a freshman is an opportunity most don't get to experience, but this fellowship has provided this opportunity to learn with some of the best books Vanderbilt has to offer. I will never forget this experience throughout my Vanderbilt career and beyond! Mason Eiss
The most memorable part of the Buchanan Library Fellowship was the apprenticeship-style learning. I particularly enjoyed the emphasis on the understanding the evolution of the modern book. Equally important, was the curatorial portion of the course which taught us the proper ways to display the materials we learned about. For me personally, the opportunity to learn how to work with rare 14th-century leafs or medieval manuscripts was invaluable. Tori Phillips
Being a library fellow is truly a blessing is disguise. When I first entered this program, although I was interested in media and and history, I wasn t sure how if a seminar on books would aptly capture my attention. The librarians at Vanderbilt, however are so talented that they made the topic of books truly exciting. Learning about books, paper, and binding had never been more fun. I got an inside look into the lives of exhibit curators by designing a case myself, and it s for sure an experience I would not have had the opportunity to have anywhere else. I m very grateful for my time as a library fellow and am excited for future students as well! Iksha Patra
I have always had a deep appreciation for Vanderbilt libraries and the solace they've provided me as I pursued my studies. Being a Buchanan Library Fellow this semester allowed me to get to know the librarians and other staff members -- individuals who work tirelessly behind-the-scenes to ensure that libraries are in top-notch condition for all who use its resources. One-on-one interactions between the Fellows and the University Librarians fostered indepth learning, enhanced by the participation of individuals from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. My experiences as a Buchanan Library Fellow have gifted me with a deeper appreciation for exhibitions and a newfound understanding of the history of books and printing. I am extremely grateful to have been a Fellow of the Library and look forward to taking my curation toolkit with me into the future. Kelly Perry
The Library Fellowship experience has given me so much more than I ever thought It would. This program has allowed me to engage with the library in a completely unique way. I ve learned about books in an absolutely incredible approach - not many undergraduate students can say that they ve held centuries old manuscripts from the Vanderbilt Special Collection. There is something magical about interacting with these pieces rather than just reading about them in a textbook. The librarians have all been so knowledgeable and welcoming, which makes this experience all the more enjoyable and rewarding. I ve loved diving into the nuances of books in a completely hands-on way. The actual creation of our cases has prepared me well for future projects. We ve worked together in a team, met various deadlines, had collaborative meetings, and curated a case of different items. All these experiences are great preparation for things to come later down the road. I ve really enjoyed my time as a Library Fellow and am so grateful to have been given this opportunity. Emma Dahill