Introducing Spineless Wonders 

So-called ‘spineless wonders’ are publications that are stapled, sewn, folded or a single sheet. They do not have a spine, so fall outside the traditional definition of a book. They are ephemeral, fragile and often not intended to last.   

These works have value for social history, political movements and cultural and creative expression. They present another view of history and have survived thanks to people who have recognised their importance.   

From political pamphlets and manifestos to popular prints and limited-edition artists’ works, the physical appearance and methods of production are as varied as the subject matter.    

Spineless Wonders explores the riches held in Senate House Library’s collections. The works reveal diverse stories, from the global and collective to the local and personal, spanning 500 years of printing. 

Grey Lit Café Podcast - curators interview

Listen to the curators discussing the exhibition with Anthony Haynes on the Grey Lit Café podcast

Credits 

Curation: Tansy Barton, Christos Fotelis, Leila Kassir  

Conservation: Salvador Alcántara-Peláez, Christos Fotelis  

Interpretation: Susan Dymond  

Design: Northover&Brown  

Mount-making: Rebecca Ash  

Graphic production: Displayways  

With special thanks to the Spineless Wonders Network. 

Notice and Take Down Policy

We make every effort to ensure the material in this online exhibition is displayed according to our copyright policy and that it does not negatively impact the copyright holders, nor the subjects depicted in the material. However, we acknowledge there may be cases in which a copyright holder or subject may be opposed to the material being displayed in this manner. For this situation, we operate a ‘Notice and Takedown’ policy, under which copyright holders and subjects may request the material be removed from display. Valid reasons for removing material include, but are not limited to:

• Legal requirements
• Proven violations of copyright
• Material that has been found to be libellous or defamatory
• Breaches of confidentiality
• Material contains personal or sensitive data, or includes content that may be regarded as factually incorrect, offensive, indecent, or defamatory.

To request the removal (takedown) of an image from this website, either as the item’s author/subject or if you believe that its content infringes UK law, please contact us by emailing SHL.digitisation@london.ac.uk and using the subject title of ‘Takedown Request’.

In your email please include:

• Your contact details
• Details of the material you wish to be removed from display (including the URL if possible)
• The reason for your takedown request.

If your complaint concerns intellectual property rights, you will need to provide evidence that you are the rights holder, or an authorised representative of the rights holder.

Your request will be acknowledged and an initial assessment undertaken by Senate House Library staff within 14 days. Where the grounds for the request appear to be reasonable, we will temporarily suspend access to the material in question, pending further investigation. If the reason for the request is found to be valid, the material will be removed from public view either permanently or for an agreed period. A record giving information about the item may remain visible; this will be decided on a case-by-case basis.

It may be necessary for legal advice to be taken before the issue can be fully resolved.