This scholarly book has a great deal of interest to the enthusiastic bookcrafter. Do not let the words of the title put you off - think instead 'The beginnings of bookbinding'. The word enthusiastic is important ~ the book is probably too expensive for anyone with a deep pocket.
The line drawings are good ~ the black and white illustrations are terrible and badly reproduced. The text is amazingly detailed and researched ~ which results in a price tag to match. To a great extent it is a source-book and reference and extensive compilation of numerous other similar published and unpublished studies. An ideal book for libraries to stock for sharing by the public.