Observations on the Mystery of Print

Hendrik Willem van Loon • Book Manufacturers Institute • Hardcover 1937 Edition

This 1937 edition of Observations on the Mystery of Printing features Hendrik Willem van Loon’s lively and insightful reflections on the history, craft, and cultural significance of printing. Written in van Loon’s engaging, conversational style, the book explores the evolution of the printed page—from early movable type to modern industrial techniques—while celebrating the ingenuity and labor behind the art of bookmaking.

Produced for the Book Manufacturers Institute, this edition emphasizes the craftsmanship of the printing trade itself. Van Loon blends history, personal anecdote, and illustration to reveal how printing shaped human knowledge and communication, making the volume both informative and charmingly idiosyncratic.

A wonderful addition for collectors of printing history, book arts, graphic design, or van Loon enthusiasts. Ideal for anyone fascinated by how books are made and why they matter.