Before Caxton’s printing press was invented, books were written by hand. This meant that the production of books was kept to a minimum. The books that were produced were generally stored in boxes and chests. Their owners would carry these containers around with them. When the number of manuscripts grew, mostly in the homes of religious or wealthy people, they would be stored on shelves or in cupboards.

The cupboards later became bookcases when it was decided they should be built without doors. After Caxton’s printing press made the production of books a great deal cheaper, more people were able to afford to own books. The one book most people would buy would be a bible, of course. The bible, incidentally, is still one of the most widely read books, even in an increasingly secular population.

Oxford University’s Bodleian Library houses bookcases that date back to the late 16th century. These are the oldest to be found in this country. Bookcases were of a very severe appearance, and quite a few attempts were made to make them more attractive. 18th century cabinet makers, such as Chippendale and Sheraton, built many bookcases that were decorative as well as practical, and proved to be among the most successful manufacturers of solid – but graceful – bookcases.

In public libraries, such as the British Museum, the storage shelves are frequently made from iron, and have cowhide covers. The Fitzwilliam Library in Cambridge is rather unusual, in that its shelving systems are constructed from slate.