The KB's collection of bookbindings consists of approximately 12,000 hand-bound books. The collection has brought together bindings, mainly from Europe, because of their historic or aesthetic significance. They are almost all unique. Many of the fine bound books were part of the collections of the eighteenth-century stadholders William IV and V, came from the library of the Kings William I, II and III and from the collection of the Amsterdam-based auctioneer Anton W. M. Mensing.

This site shows a representative sample of the KB's bookbindings collection. The selection of roughly 1000 bindings gives an overview of the history of bookbindings from the 12th century until the beginning of the 21st century.

For more information about the collection, please contact Rens Top.