Judging a Book by its Cover: Stories about Bookbindings

Did you know books used to be sold in sheets with no covers? Or that books used to have the title on the fore-edge not the spine? And have you ever wondered why books were once chained to the shelves?

For answers to these questions and more, join us to discover more about the amazing books of Gloucester Cathedral Library through a series of short informal talks. Questions will be most welcome throughout. Archivist Rebecca Philips and local independent Book Conservator Arthur Green have selected six noteworthy books from the collection which all have a story to tell; from how printed books were made, how the decoration reflects the status of a binding, to how books were bought and sold.

Date: 23 September 2025
Time: 2-5pm and 6-9pm
Location: Parliament Room, Gloucester Cathedral
Price: £50 per person.

Teas, coffees and biscuits will be provided during a half-time break.

Please note the location can only be accessed via a staircase, so is not suitable for those with mobility difficulties.

You may also like the following events from Gloucester Cathedral:

• This Saturday, 16th August, 08:30 am, Morning Yoga at Gloucester Cathedral in Gloucester
• This Saturday, 16th August, 10:00 am, Stone Carving Workshops in Gloucester
• This Saturday, 16th August, 10:45 am, Gloucester Cathedral Library Tours: Natural History Edition in Gloucester