What is more important - design or content? This lovers of books have been arguing since time immemorial. To see the most unusual and interesting copies of printing, you can visit the thematic exposition. For today in our country there is a unique museum of the book or department of the rare book. This unusual collection is exhibited in the building of the RSL (the former Lenin Library) in Moscow.
The history of creating a unique collection of books
As early as 1918, the Rumyantsev Museumdepartment of rare books. According to the original idea, the collection should consist of old and unique editions. Originally, the exhibits were kept in the Rumyantsev Museum and were periodically shown in the format of traveling exhibitions. Then, on the basis of the collected collection, a book museum was opened at the Book Chamber. After a while all expositions were transferred to the wing of the State Library. Lenin. Today it is the Russian State Library. The museum is located in a specially designed room. In the exhibition halls the atmosphere of the 50s reigns. Massive showcases of walnut, stucco molding and decorative lamps - all this creates a special atmosphere. Books can not be kept open for a long time. For this reason, the exhibition is constantly changing, and some copies are even issued to the reading room. The museum's fund holds much more interesting exhibits, rather than presented in the windows. Employees constantly update the exposition and delight visitors with book collections of different periods and types.
From the scroll to the code and this book
While visiting the museum guests can find outthe complete history of the book as a way of preserving and transmitting information. Part of the exhibition is devoted to the creation of paper and the development of printing technologies. The Museum of Book and Printing Russia has unique specimens in its collection. These are books written on palm leaves, papyrus and ancient scrolls. The next stage of evolution in the book world is the code (from the Latin codex - the book). So called the first book, consisting of many pages, the prototype of modern. During the tour you can look at the publications made in various techniques. The museum of the book can boast both handwritten and facsimile reproduction, and the first printed copies. Separate expositions talk about the development of paper making technologies and materials used to create books in an earlier period. There are in the collection copies showing the evolution of the decoration of the book pages and the development of the art of engraving.
Special Books
In its collection the museum of books and book printinghas books with an unusual history. These are publications that belonged to well-known historical figures. Presented in the exhibition is a large collection of books owned by representatives of the royal family. In the museum you can see the very first editions of the most famous works of recognized classics. These are collections of such great writers as N. V. Gogol, A.S. Pushkin, M.Yu. Lermontov and many others. The pride of the museum is the smallest and largest book in the world. Each exhibit has a card with a detailed description, allowing you to learn many new and interesting facts to each visitor.
Information for tourists
The museum's book address has the following: Vozdvizhenka street, house 3. The exposition is located on the 4th floor of the building of the Russian State Library. Entrance through the third entrance, you can navigate to the fountain with a dolphin. The nearest metro stations are the " IN AND. Lenin, Arbat, Borovitskaya and Aleksandrovsky Garden. For individual visitors the museum works on weekdays from 10.00 to 17.00, on Saturday - from 10.00 to 16.00. The day off is Sunday. By prior appointment, excursions are conducted for adult visitors, students and secondary school students. The cost of excursion services is 1200 for a group of children (15 people and 1 accompanying person) and 2400 for a group of adult visitors (15 people). The entrance to the museum for individual visitors is free at all hours of operation. Excursion services are offered only for organized groups. The museum of the book constantly changes the exposition, it makes sense to visit it several times.
