Folio Archives 185: Liber Bestiarum limited edition 2008
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1wcarter
Liber Bestiarum, Bodley 764. 2008
The Bodleian Library’s copy of Liber Bestiarum is a superb example of an illuminated medieval text, and the Folio Society has reproduced it in a near perfect form, the only significant difference being that it is printed on heavy Fuisio paper rather than the original vellum.
Dating from about 1250, this bestiary is one of the most lavish and interesting examples produced, and shows animals interacting with humans, rather than just alone in their cartouche. The 135 brightly coloured images in the facsimile have been blocked with gold foil, as they were in the original.
A bestiary was an educational compendium of the animals known in the Medieval world with their descriptions and illustrations. The description was often linked to a moral lesson and verses in the Bible.
The dark blue buckram bound Solander box contains the 284 page facsimile volume and a 174 page commentary volume. There is a red leather title label on the end pf the box. It measures 33x22x8.8cm.
The facsimile volume is bound in luscious red leather, deeply blocked in gilt and colours with images and title on the cover and spine designed by David Eccles. The binding is sensuously tactile, and there are four raised bands on the spine separating the design elements. There is a blue ribbon page marker, and all page edges are gilded. The endpapers are made from thick green paper.
The commentary volume by Christopher de Hamel contains an explanation of the illustrations, and a translation of the text from the original Latin by Richard Barber. It is bound in dark blue cloth blocked on the cover in gilt and green with a design and the title, and there is a simple gilt title on the spine.
The 1980 copies of this exquisite limited edition were sold for £495.
FACSIMILE VOLUME
COMMENTARY AND TRANSLATION VOLUME
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
The Bodleian Library’s copy of Liber Bestiarum is a superb example of an illuminated medieval text, and the Folio Society has reproduced it in a near perfect form, the only significant difference being that it is printed on heavy Fuisio paper rather than the original vellum.
Dating from about 1250, this bestiary is one of the most lavish and interesting examples produced, and shows animals interacting with humans, rather than just alone in their cartouche. The 135 brightly coloured images in the facsimile have been blocked with gold foil, as they were in the original.
A bestiary was an educational compendium of the animals known in the Medieval world with their descriptions and illustrations. The description was often linked to a moral lesson and verses in the Bible.
The dark blue buckram bound Solander box contains the 284 page facsimile volume and a 174 page commentary volume. There is a red leather title label on the end pf the box. It measures 33x22x8.8cm.
The facsimile volume is bound in luscious red leather, deeply blocked in gilt and colours with images and title on the cover and spine designed by David Eccles. The binding is sensuously tactile, and there are four raised bands on the spine separating the design elements. There is a blue ribbon page marker, and all page edges are gilded. The endpapers are made from thick green paper.
The commentary volume by Christopher de Hamel contains an explanation of the illustrations, and a translation of the text from the original Latin by Richard Barber. It is bound in dark blue cloth blocked on the cover in gilt and green with a design and the title, and there is a simple gilt title on the spine.
The 1980 copies of this exquisite limited edition were sold for £495.
FACSIMILE VOLUME
COMMENTARY AND TRANSLATION VOLUME
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
2folio_books
>1 wcarter: The binding is sensuously tactile
You got that right. It's seriously sensuously tactile.
One of my very favourite Folios. Thanks for adding this to the archive. As always, truly excellent photography.
You got that right. It's seriously sensuously tactile.
One of my very favourite Folios. Thanks for adding this to the archive. As always, truly excellent photography.
3gmacaree
I have a rule that I won't buy any book I can't read. Liber Bestarium was the closest I've come to breaking that rule, and I frequently regret missing out. It's a beauty.
4wcarter
>3 gmacaree:
But you can read it. The Commentary Volume has a translation.
But you can read it. The Commentary Volume has a translation.
5ubiquitousuk
>3 gmacaree: same rule here (extended to include books I don't want to read, i.e., that I'd buy purely as eye candy). Sadly, this rules LB out for me, gorgeous as it is.
6wongie
>3 gmacaree: Same here, despite the accompanying translation I prefer to read the actual book, not a book about another book.
That said, Liber Bestiarum is the only exception I've ever made after having fondled the sample volume at the old dMR. I'm 110% in agreement with >1 wcarter: and >2 folio_books: that this is sensuously tactile, one of the best bindings in my collection and perhaps the only one I will ever (on occasion) take out just to fondle. I also find the animal content can be appreciated more easily compared to other illuminated manuscripts which helped sway my decision to snap up one of the few remaining copies.
That said, Liber Bestiarum is the only exception I've ever made after having fondled the sample volume at the old dMR. I'm 110% in agreement with >1 wcarter: and >2 folio_books: that this is sensuously tactile, one of the best bindings in my collection and perhaps the only one I will ever (on occasion) take out just to fondle. I also find the animal content can be appreciated more easily compared to other illuminated manuscripts which helped sway my decision to snap up one of the few remaining copies.
8Pellias
The youtube FS collectors unboxing of the Liber Bestiarum ..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Qg-ERfRXTc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWn_wO1UwLA
*Sure none of them would mind it being put up here, if it`s there ..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Qg-ERfRXTc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWn_wO1UwLA
*Sure none of them would mind it being put up here, if it`s there ..
9kdweber
This facsimile is one of my favorite FS books. Of course, I love illustrated manuscripts and usually just browse the images. The Liber Bestiarum is the exception, the translation is great. A medieval bestiarum contained information about real animals with semi-valid information, rare animals from far away places with sometimes fanciful descriptions and mythical beasts with ridiculous descriptions. The text is a riot and well worth reading.
