Membership
IAPM Members
Huis van het boek
Address | Prinsessegracht 30, 2514 AP, , Den Haag, the Netherlands |
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Telephone | 0031703462700 |
Website | www.huisvanhetboek.nl |
Admission/Fee | 5-10 Euro |
Opening Hours | Tuesday-Sunday from 11-17 |
Huis van het boek (House of the book), formerly known as Museum Meermanno-Westreenianum is devoted to the handwritten and printed book of past and present. The material aspects of the book and the development of book design are the main focus. The museum organizes on average eight temporary exhibitions a year on themes related to both the old and modern book. The museum is located in the attractive former residence of the Baron Van Westreenen van Tiellandt (1783-1848), whose house and collections became property of the state, under the condition that they are on permanent display. In 1852, the house was opened to the public as a museum. The two most distinctive features of Van Westreenen’s collection are 350 manuscripts, dating from the 6th to the 19th century, and the second largest collection of incunabula in the Netherlands. Both reflect the spread of the handwritten and the printed word throughout Western Europe. An overview of these books can be seen in the distinctive book room. As an extension to Van Westreenen’s collection, the museum actively collects books dating from 1890 to the present. Starting with a complete set of the books printed by the Kelmscott Press, these include a large collection of private press books, artists’books, miniature books, etc, but also the international selection of best designed books. Form and design of the book remain the criteria for selection. The museum also house extensive collections of archives by distinguished graphic designers and publishers, and one of the largest collections of bookplates in the world. In the permanent installation, “From lead to LED,” the development of the modern book is presented, accompanied by a changing selection from the museum’s fine modern collection. A separate room is dedicated to the first private press in the Netherlands, showing the original Albion press and workshop. Education is centred around two rooms featuring the handwritten and printed book by demonstrations of writing with a quill and handling a printing press. |
Primary Contact Information
Name | Rickey Tax |
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Title/Position | Curator |
Telephone | 0031627436504 |
Fax | |
Rickey.Tax@huisvanhetboek.nl |