Exhibition 'Got you covered: deciphering bookbindings'
21 July 2025
Bindings do more than hold books together – they also hold clues to people, places and times, offer a rich mix of historical evidence, and tell diverse stories, just like the texts they protect and contain.
The exhibition Got you covered: Deciphering bookbindings teases out the stories behind some intriguing bindings in He Māra Mahara | Cultural Collections. This includes a volume rebacked in a manuscript fragment from around the late 12th century, a 1970s sub-thesis with leather boards exquisitely carved by a future tohunga whakairo, and a midwifery textbook with a home-made carry case.
Through items spanning centuries and continents, the exhibition highlights the practice of recycling waste material, personalisation of book coverings, bindings inspired by Te Ao Māori, as well as examples from China, Japan and India. It also explores how a 19th century binder’s business register sheds light on Tāmaki Makaurau in the 1860s.
Screened images of binders’ labels and marbled papers found in the rare books in Special Collections and video of a renowned English paper marbler help bring to life book-related crafts. A handling table with binding-related items provides a tactile experience for visitors.
To delve deeper into the exhibition and the collections, book to attend a curator talk, lecture, or the hands-on workshop.
Visit the exhibition
21 July-8 October 2025
11am-4pm Monday-Friday
He Māra Mahara, Level M, Te Herenga Mātauranga Whānui | General Library
Curator talks
Join the curators for a tour of the exhibition. Bookings essential.
Register for Tuesday 29 July, 10-11am
Register for Wednesday 3 September, 10-11am
He Māra Mahara, Level M, Te Herenga Mātauranga Whānui | General Library
Lecture: Late 12th-century Breviary fragment – exploring its origin and function
Join Dr Nicholas Thompson, Theological and Religious Studies, as he discusses the origin and function of the monastic Breviary fragment used in one binding.
Details to come; bookings essential.
Hands-on workshop
Join the curators for a hands-on workshop exploring a selection of book crafts and print-related material in He Māra Mahara. Bookings essential.
Tuesday 19 August, 10-11am
He Māra Mahara, Level M, Te Herenga Mātauranga Whānui | General Library
Register now
Media enquiries
Email: digital.comms@auckland.ac.nz