1wcarter
The Folio Society has recently published a detailed 416 page moderately expensive study of the Bayeux Tapestry written Carola Hicks and Sylvette Lemagnen. It has also produced the infamous, exorbitantly expensive limited edition, winding, glass topped table, scroll limited edition of the tapestry. But in 1973, the FS produced a far more modest, but still delightful, description of the Bayeux Tapestry that should meet the needs of all but the most serious student of the artifact.
The book is bound in Wintex cloth and Opal Tyvek paper embossed with a tactile pattern, and blocked in gold with a design and the title.
This lovely 110 page book has a 17 page essay on the history of the tapestry, followed by eight pages on where the history of the depicted events were obtained. This is followed by a fascinating 24 page contemporary account of the invasion and Battle of Hastings written by William of Poitiers. There are brief essays describing the tapestry, the history of the tapestry and its importance.
Of course there are also the full colour plates, which are accompanied by a translation of the Latin text embroidered on the tapestry. The plates are smaller than in the 2016 FS edition, but quite adequate to understand what the tapestry depicts, and are spread over 44 pages. They are arranged to run across two pages, with two strips of tapestry on each page (see photos below). The tapestry was photographed in situ in Bayeux, and as this was well before the era of digital image manipulation, there is some colour variation and distortion despite the best efforts of the photographer.
The book is printed letterpress by W&J Mackay, and is housed in a plain maroon slipcase 26x19 cm. The gold printed title on the maroon cloth spine is upside down, in that it faces right instead of left when upright on the shelf, or faces down when the book is placed face-up. One of the few times the FS has done this.
Someone wanting a FS book covering the Bayeux Tapestry at a very modest price should seek out this small treasure on the secondary market.
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed at : http://www.librarything.com/topic/266300
The book is bound in Wintex cloth and Opal Tyvek paper embossed with a tactile pattern, and blocked in gold with a design and the title.
This lovely 110 page book has a 17 page essay on the history of the tapestry, followed by eight pages on where the history of the depicted events were obtained. This is followed by a fascinating 24 page contemporary account of the invasion and Battle of Hastings written by William of Poitiers. There are brief essays describing the tapestry, the history of the tapestry and its importance.
Of course there are also the full colour plates, which are accompanied by a translation of the Latin text embroidered on the tapestry. The plates are smaller than in the 2016 FS edition, but quite adequate to understand what the tapestry depicts, and are spread over 44 pages. They are arranged to run across two pages, with two strips of tapestry on each page (see photos below). The tapestry was photographed in situ in Bayeux, and as this was well before the era of digital image manipulation, there is some colour variation and distortion despite the best efforts of the photographer.
The book is printed letterpress by W&J Mackay, and is housed in a plain maroon slipcase 26x19 cm. The gold printed title on the maroon cloth spine is upside down, in that it faces right instead of left when upright on the shelf, or faces down when the book is placed face-up. One of the few times the FS has done this.
Someone wanting a FS book covering the Bayeux Tapestry at a very modest price should seek out this small treasure on the secondary market.
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed at : http://www.librarything.com/topic/266300
2folio_books
It was originally produced as a Presentation Volume, given free to members on re-joining, without the slipcase.
3scratchpad
>1 wcarter: I have the new one and it is a very handsome volume and well written but rather long winded in its detail. The content of this 1973 version seems much more accessible to my rather shorter attention span. I'll be looking out for a good quality copy. Many thanks.
Having said that I'm not sure I approve of this series. You have already cost me for a copy of Faust that you covered a little while ago. Now this. What next must I budget for?
Having said that I'm not sure I approve of this series. You have already cost me for a copy of Faust that you covered a little while ago. Now this. What next must I budget for?
4wcarter
>3 scratchpad:
Keep saving - you never know what I am going to come up with next :-)
Keep saving - you never know what I am going to come up with next :-)
5Forthwith
I am grateful that you put 1973 in the thread topic otherwise I would have feared a copy of your insurance claim for Bayeux Elbow.
6PartTimeBookAddict
Just picked this up and gave it a read. A perfect intro and overview of the tapestry, William the Conqueror and the battle of Hastings.
The intro guides you through the pictures very clearly and there's just enough historical information to situate you in the timeframe. It's also fascinating to read William of Poitiers toadying account of his king.
The letterpress printing is very nice, but I don't care too much for the binding. Overall a very nice quick read that is very cheap.
The intro guides you through the pictures very clearly and there's just enough historical information to situate you in the timeframe. It's also fascinating to read William of Poitiers toadying account of his king.
The letterpress printing is very nice, but I don't care too much for the binding. Overall a very nice quick read that is very cheap.
