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Discover the shocking histories of very old books

August 8, 2023 • 
Harry Ransom Center
Sponsored by
The title page of the Shakespeare First Folio.

Throughout the exhibit, learn how historic books were originally made, who owned them, where they’ve traveled, and how they’ve been read, used, abused, and altered over the centuries.

Courtesy of the Harry Ransom Center

Bookworms, this one’s for you. The Long Lives of Very Old Books is opening at the Harry Ransom Center this weekend, featuring 150+ exceptional objects published by Europeans between the mid-15th and late-17th centuries.

From Saturday, Aug. 19 through Saturday, Dec. 30, trace the stories behind notable volumes including:

  • An annotated copy of “Don Quixote” by Cervantes
  • Playbooks connected to a series of high-profile thefts
  • A Bible that allegedly traveled to New England on the Mayflower

Visit opening weekend (and receive a free gift)

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