Microscopic examination of inclusions in the paper of a single-sheet devotional print from Dunhuang (Toronto, Royal Ontario Museum 927.24). Photo: Jessica Lockhart 

A Dino-Lite digital microscope’s ultraviolet and near infrared settings reveal a repair made to an early printed copy of the Arba’ah Turim (Toronto, Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, Friedberg 00131). Photo: Jessica Lockhart

Dragonfly rendering of an early printed book using microCT. Image: Jessica Lockhart

Parchment collagen fibrils in the Bozec lab (University of Toronto). Photo: Jessica Lockhart

Engineers Mei Li and Aly Abdelaziz from Grasselli’s Geomechanics Group (University of Toronto) discuss a book’s structure visualized using microCT. Photo: Matt Volpe

Paper painting depicting seated Buddha triad with standing Bodhisattvas and donor, with hanging tabs added; mounting holes in upper and lower margins. Guiyijun period (848/851–1030/1036), tenth century. From Mogao Cave 17, Dunhuang. Paris,…

A view under optical microscope revealing inclusions in the paper fibres of one of Cao Yuanzhong’s Avalokiteśvara woodblock prints (Toronto, Royal Ontario Museum 927.24). Photo: Jessica Lockhart

A fragment of Cao Yuanzhong’s Avalokiteśvara woodblock print in which the image block is printed at centre, with roughly symmetrical margins of 5–6 cm around each edge – one of them created by the addition of a vertical strip of reused paper…

Single-sheet woodblock print depicting Avalokiteśvara with dedicatory inscription, sponsored by Cao Yuanzhong and carved by Lei Yanmei. Guiyijun period (848/851–1030/1036), dated 947. From Mogao Cave 17, Dunhuang. Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de…