Judging a book by its cover can sometimes be a worthy practice, as the outside of a book can reveal just as much as the inside. In the Early Printed Books course we have had the opportunity to explore both the origins of the printed book as we know it today, and the resulting interaction between oral and written cultures. We have studied printing, bookselling, and reading practices, and have been able to study in depth books from the John J. Burns Library. Practical application also features in this course: we have worked in the conservation lab, using the tools, paper, leather, and vellum that were used in the production of early printed books, as well as producing our own volvelles, pamphlets, and St. Gall books, on display in this exhibition.