Specially bound copy of Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things by Angela James (winner of the Man Booker Prize in 1997). Photo James Darling

Exhibition preview - The Booker 40 at the V&A until May 17 2009.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of The Booker and The Man Booker Prize, the V&A is hosting an exhibition of archive material that has never been seen before by the public.

The Man Booker is Britain’s, arguably the world’s, most prestigious literary prize and the winner, alongside the £50,000 prize money, is assured international recognition, massively increased book sales and lucrative future book deals.

Over the rich history of the competition there has been much controversy over books that have won, and books that have lost. This year, on the 40th anniversary, the media-hype surrounding the Man Booker is unparalleled as judges announced the longlist, then whittled it down to six on a shortlist. The winner will be announced Tuesday September 14.

Specially bound copy of Sarah Water’s Fingersmith by Angela James (shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2002). Photo James Darling

This display is an insight into the prize and includes every winning book since 1969, as well as a wide selection of shortlisted titles.

Aesthetically, there is an exploration of how book jackets have changed over the past 40 years, tracking the design trends in marketing and publicity including posters and other promotional materials.

Also exhibited is the original Booker trophy was created by the artist Jan Pienkowski, on loan from the family of Bernice Rubens, winner of the Boooker prize in 1970.This style of trophy was awarded for only four years until a much smaller version was created by Patricia Turner.

Since 1972 each winning and shortlisted winner has also received a beautiful bound book, a selection of which feature in the exhibition.

Poster from the Booker Prize in 1990, along with original copies of the two winning titles that year. Photo James Darling

There is a special section of the display dedicated to collecting as fans reveal their passion for the Booker Prize through collections of memorabillia.

Peter Straus, Literary Agent and former publisher, is the Booker archivist and his extensive collection is a highlight of the exhibition. Along with Straus's own collection of books (many first edition), posters and proofs, there are photographs from the archive, now located at Oxford Brookes University.

Peter Strauss commented, “The Booker 40 at the V&A is a fascinating and insightful exhibition which will hopefully bring many more readers of Booker shortlisted and winning authors on board.”

The Booker at the V&A is on display in Gallery 74 and entry to the V&A is free.

Want to know more? Read Freya McClelland's article about the history of the Booker Prize