Books by William Blades

This two-volume work on the life and activities of the printer William Caxton was written by another printer, William Blades, and published in 1861-3. Volume 1 deals with Caxton's life and the background, in England and Europe, to his innovatory work, and supplies transcriptions of contemporary documents.

First published in 1881, this popular and entertaining work examines the numerous threats that books have faced throughout history. Based on the author's experience as a collector, the book explores such destructive forces as fire, water, ignorance and vermin. It is reissued in the revised and enlarged edition of 1888.