Stichting De Best Verzorgde Boeken

Stichting De Best Verzorgde Boeken (The Best Dutch Book Designs Foundation) is the Dutch organisation behind the annual selection and exhibition known as The Best Dutch Book Designs (De Best Verzorgde Boeken). Each year it celebrates the best products of the Dutch graphic industry: a selection of 33 books distinguished by the combination of great design and commissioning with high-quality lithography, printing and bindings. The selection is made by a professional jury whose assessment takes place at the end of January, following submissions in December, with the announcement in March. Since 2016 a parallel student jury — drawn from ArtEZ (Arnhem), Gerrit Rietveld Academy (Amsterdam), HKU (Utrecht), KABK (The Hague) and Minerva (Groningen) — makes its own selection and catalogue. Both selections take shape in a catalogue and are exhibited at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam in the autumn, after which the books travel to various locations in the Netherlands and abroad. The initiative has a long pedigree: with a history stretching back to 1926, the annual selection is described as Europe's oldest such event. It has known three periods — 1925–32, 1948–71, and from 1986 to the present. The first keurcollectie (choice selection) of the fifty best-produced books in the Netherlands was an initiative of the then Nederlandsch Verbond van Boekenvrienden (NVB), and in particular the designer S.H. de Roos. Today the foundation continues that tradition, combining a professional jury, a student jury, an annual catalogue and a touring exhibition programme that has recently included international showings such as at the Hyundai Card Art Library in Korea. The organisation operates as a foundation (stichting) rather than a commercial publisher, but its annual selection functions as a benchmark and quality mark for Dutch book design, printing and binding. Its activities are concentrated in the Netherlands, with an expanding international exhibition footprint.

The Best Dutch Book Designs has a history that stretches back to 1926, making it Europe's oldest annual selection of its kind. The organisation distinguishes three periods: 1925–32, 1948–71, and from 1986 up to and including the present. The first keurcollectie (choice selection), as the collection of the fifty best-produced books in the Netherlands was initially known, was an initiative of the then Nederlandsch Verbond van Boekenvrienden (NVB) (Netherlands Federation of Friends of the Book), and in particular the designer S.H. de Roos. That initial period was brought to an end, and after a gap the selection resumed in 1948, running until 1971. A further interruption followed before the modern series began in 1986 and has continued to the present day. In its contemporary form, the selection process rests on three pillars: jury assessment in late January (with submissions in December) and announcement in March; the design and production of the catalogue for that year's selection; and the exhibition in Amsterdam's Stedelijk Museum in the autumn, where the catalogue is presented. The Best Dutch Book Designs are then shown at various locations in the Netherlands and abroad. To inspire new generations of young designers, since 2016 the selection has also involved a student jury. Six young apprentice designers choose their own selection and create a catalogue; their selection is included in the exhibition in the Stedelijk Museum. The student jury is drawn from ArtEZ (Arnhem), Gerrit Rietveld Academy (Amsterdam), HKU (Utrecht), KABK (The Hague) and Minerva (Groningen). Each year the foundation celebrates the best products of the graphic industry in the Netherlands: 33 books made with heart and soul, set apart by the combination of great design and commissioning with high-quality lithography, printing and bindings. All aspects of the Dutch graphic industry are represented in the selection. The organisation has expanded its exhibition reach internationally, with the first international exhibition of The Best Dutch Book Designs 2025 taking place at the Hyundai Card Art Library in Korea. The foundation has also been associated with the Golden Letter, the highest international distinction in book design, which has been awarded to a Dutch graduation project for the third time in a row.

• 2025

  The Best Dutch Book Designs 2025 selection; first international exhibition at Hyundai Card Art Library, Korea.

• 2016

  Student jury established with participation of ArtEZ, Gerrit Rietveld Academy, HKU, KABK and Minerva.

• 1986

  Modern series begins and continues to the present.

• 1971

  End of the second period (1948–71).

• 1948

  Selection resumes after an interruption, running until 1971.

• 1932

  End of the first period (1925–32).

• 1926

  First keurcollectie (choice selection) of the fifty best-produced books in the Netherlands, initiated by the Nederlandsch Verbond van Boekenvrienden (NVB) and designer S.H. de Roos.

Europe's oldest annual book design selection, serving as a quality benchmark for Dutch graphic design, printing and binding.

• Annual selection of 33 Best Dutch Book Designs

  A juried selection of 33 books representing the best of Dutch graphic design, lithography, printing and binding.

• Annual catalogue

  A catalogue designed and produced for each year's selection, presented at the Stedelijk Museum exhibition.

• Touring exhibition

  The selected books are exhibited at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam and then at various locations in the Netherlands and abroad.

1. 1De Best Verzorgde Boekendebestverzorgdeboeken.nl
2. 2About - De Best Verzorgde Boekendebestverzorgdeboeken.nl
3. 3Stichting De Best Verzorgde Boekenwikidata.org