Join Jennifer Larson, Professor of Classics at Kent State University, for an exploration of miniature and little books. In her presentation, Dr. Larson will use books from her own collection to explore how diminutive format was related to content in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. Miniature and small formats were favored not only for devotionals, almanacs, and children’s literature, but also for inexpensive school books, forbidden or “obscene” works, and as samples of fine printing. With regard to literature, selection for publication in small format has always been a gauge of high popularity, and there is a “canon” of authors and works thus distinguished (Horace and Terence, but also Tasso and Guarini’s Il Pastor Fido). Publishers from Aldus and Paganini in the 16th century, to Plantin and the Elzevirs in the 17th century, to the Foulis brothers and the French Imprimerie Royale in the 18th century have experimented with small formats, much to the delight of collectors.

Please note that will be a Zoom-only event held on Wednesday, February 22, 2023. Here are the Zoom details:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85648761238?pwd=QnhjZ0o5Qm5BbHJYYUpVZkk5SklJZz09

Meeting ID: 856 4876 1238

Passcode: 341510