Following the highly successful and acclaimed Book Art Object, published in 2008, Book Art Object 2 includes a record of the third biennial Codex Book Fair and Symposium: “The Fate of the Art,” held in Berkeley, California, 2011. Codex events showcase contemporary artist books, fine press and fine art editions produced by the world’s most esteemed printers, designers, book artists, and artisans.

This book contains 1133 images of 300 books by 140 artists/printers. Also presented is a selection of the papers delivered at the 2009 and 2011 symposia:
Paul van Capelleveen, The National Library of the Netherlands: Changing books: art and the contemporary Dutch private press book.
Antoine Coron, Head of Special Collections, Bibliothèque Nationale de France: Publishing artist books in France today.
David Jury, designer and printer: The depiction of books in books.
Ron King, artist: History and collaboration: Circle Press.
Peter Rutledge Koch, Printer: The third stream: A view from the West back to the East.
Juan Pascoe, Proprietor, Taller Martín Pescador, Michoacán: Presses in Mexico.
Richard Ovenden, keeper of Special Collections and Associate Director, Bodleian Library, Oxford: The role of the book arts in a 21st-century research library.

There are also dispatches from renowned artists/printers/curators:
Johannes Strugalla and Ulrike Stoltz: Germany; Jason Dewinetz: Canada; Des Cowley: Australia; Sarah Bodman and Tom Sowden: United Kingdom; Sandro Berra: Italy.

"The biannual Codex gatherings, held since 2007 on the shores of San Francisco Bay, are the most important symposia in the world for those concerned with the arts of the book. The Book Art Object anthologies – of which there are now two – are the substantial printed records of these occasions. No one who cares about books and their fate in the present world should be without them."
— Robert Bringhurst, designer, author, typographic historian

"Book Art Object 2 is one of the most eagerly awaited publications in the field of the book arts for many years. The first volume in the series has become not only a collector’s item, worthy of the traditions, standards and approaches of the field which it exemplifies, but also a valuable work of reference. Long may Book Art Object and Codex Foundation flourish."
— Richard Ovenden, The Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford

"more BOOK, more ART, more OBJECT – 2 have it: a must!"
— Stefan Soltek, The Klingspor Museum, Offenbach.

"With just three bold words emblazoned on its cover, Book Art Object 2 declares itself as the critical survey of fine press and artists' books around the globe. An essential illustrated reference work for libraries and anyone interested in the future of the physical book."
— Des Cowley, State Library of Victoria, Melbourne

"Another magnificent achievement by Codex, weighing in at over seven pounds Book Art Object 2 eloquently and comprehensively presents the most creative, technically brilliant and diverse range of fine books from around the world. The design of Book Art Object 2 is enlightening, the written contributions inspiring, but it is the books themselves, presented in 1,133 full color illustrations, that leap off the page and remain in the readers consciousness long after the last page, number 524, has been turned. This volume is indispensable for anyone wishing to understand the quite remarkable state of fine bookmaking today."
— David Jury, Designer, author, printer.

"Book Art Object 2 explores the ingenuity of book makers from the point of view of the printers, the artists, the curators, the collectors, and others involved in the enchanting world of handmade books and graphic arts. This book celebrates a combined professionalism and imagination – and brings you as close to the surprising originals as you can without owning them. Nowhere else, one finds such quality. The book is a must for the inquisitive."
— Paul van Capelleveen, The National Library of the Netherlands.

9 x 12 inches, 524 pages, cloth with dustjacket ISBN: 978-0-911221-50-3