The goal of this virtual exhibit is to give viewers a brief history and overview of the emblem book genre—a genre of books not well-known despite their immense popularity during the 16th-18th centuries. This exhibit is especially concerned with providing examples and information using books available in the Special Collections Department at the University of Iowa Libraries. A list of the emblem and related books available in Special Collections at Iowa has been compiled, as well as a list of secondary sources for further information and study.

A larger version of each image, with higher resolution, is available by clicking on the image. With a low-speed internet connection, these images may take longer to load.

This project served as an undergraduate Honors Thesis (B.A. Comparative Literature) for Nana Diederichs.

Special thanks to: Special Collections for all their assistance and willingness to share their knowledge and books -- Sid Huttner, Kathy Hodson, Amy Cooper, Jacque Roethler, and David Schoonover; the Friends of the Library for financial funding during the summer; Rick Altman and Alan Nagel for their wonderful ideas and support.

** Introduction ** Overview ** Forerunners ** Spread of Emblem Books ** Parallel and Evolving Forms ** Emblematic Influences: Art and Architecture ** Emblematic Influences: Literature and Coins** List of Emblem and Related Books in Special Collections ** Bibliography of Secondary Literature **