‘By the Book’ at Saltram

This May, Saltram House near Plymouth will launch a brand new exhibition, ‘By the Book’, which will celebrate the best loved items from the Parker family library.

On display together for the first time are highlights from the collection, including Mark Catesby’s beautifully illustrated Natural History of Carolina, local interest works such as Smeaton’s Narrative of The Building of the Edystone Lighthouse and also family treasures such as Lord Morley’s annotated school primer.

Alongside the exhibition there will be a programme of demonstrations, pop-up talks, trails and family activities. Families can undertake the Saltram Book Challenge, dress-up to mimic a Regency fashion magazine, design their own book plate and much more.

Have you ever wondered how the National Trust takes care of the thousands of books in its collection? During the next two weeks Caroline Bendix, the National Trust’s Libraries Conservation Adviser, will be working with a team of experts so come along and see them at work every day until Thursday 8 May.

The books at Saltram were predominantly collected between 1780 and 1830 and were added to by generations of the Parker family. The texts in the Library are a fascinating reflection of their personalities and interests. Catherine Peck, House and Collections Officer, comments:

“I’m thrilled to announce the opening of this exhibition because the books are such an important part of Saltram’s collection. Some of the staff and volunteer’s favourite books will be on display. It is clear that the Library was an important space for the Parkers as their books have been well-read, well-loved and in some cases carefully annotated.”

Saltram ‘By the Book’ is available during normal house opening:  Saturday – Thursday, 12 noon – 4.30pm (last entry 3.45pm). Normal House admission applies: adult £11, child £5.50, family (1 adult) £16.50, family £27.50. National Trust Members Free Entry. The exhibition ends Sunday 2 November.