What is an "artist's book" and why do some editions become collector's items? The lecture introduces the publishing experiments of William Morris and Ambroise Vollard, showing how medieval themes and avant-garde graphics turn the printed book into an independent work of art and change our perception of reading. A beautifully published book always attracts special attention. A heavy binding, the texture of the paper, the rhythm of the pages, and the smell of ink create a sense of an object that one wants to hold in their hands for a long time, slowly gazing at every detail. The lecture will discuss how the tradition of authorial editions emerged in Europe, where text, image, and design work as a unified whole. The starting point will be the activities of the English artist and thinker William Morris. It was important for him to return manual labor and the dignity of craftsmanship to the book business. The workshops he organized created editions in which the font, ornaments, title pages, and miniatures were subordinated to a common artistic idea. Listeners will learn about the principles on which these books were built, why they resembled medieval manuscripts, and why they are still valued by collectors today. Where to go with children in Yekaterinburg can be found on KudaGo.