40 Years of the Booker at the V&A

Collage of bound books for Booker 40 at the V&A

A fascinating new exhibition opening in September

30 July 2008


Have you ever wondered how the Booker judges come to their decision? Are you interested in the changing look of literary fiction over the years?

If the answer is yes, then you'll be delighted to hear that in September the V&A Museum is to host The Booker 40 at the V&A - a display celebrating the 40th anniversary of The Booker and the Man Booker Prize. This is the first time that such a collection of archive material has been on public display. It opens on 6 September 2008 and runs until 17 May 2009.

The display is a fascinating insight into the prize. It includes every book which has won since 1969, as well as a wide selection of shortlisted titles. It also looks at how the design of book jackets has changed over the past 40 years, and includes ephemera such as posters and other promotional materials. 

Other gems include a selection of some of the beautiful contemporary bookbindings on loan from the authors, and the original Booker trophy which was created by the artist Jan Pienkowski.

In a special section of the display dedicated to collecting, one Booker fan reveals his passion for the book proofs, memorabilia and the many different editions of winning and shortlisted books which have been published around the world.

The Booker 40 at the V&A brings together the very best of the news and the gossip that has made ‘the Booker' one of the most talked about and influential literary prizes in the world.

Read the full press release in the media centre.

 

The Man Booker Prize Fiction at its finest