Folio Archives 154: Leaves From a Psalter Limited Edition 2012
ConversazioniFolio Society Devotees
Iscriviti a LibraryThing per pubblicare un messaggio.
1wcarter
Leaves From a Psalter by William de Brailes Limited Edition 2012
This extraordinary limited edition contains the most glorious reproductions of seven pages from a psalter that was hand crafted by the Oxford illuminator William de Braies in about 1240, and amazingly, the Folio Society has reproduced them on real vellum (calf hide) rather than the mock vellum used in all its other facsimiles.
The seven leaves are all that remain of what must have been an extraordinary work. Six leaves belong to the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, while the seventh is held by the Piepont Morgan Library in New York.
The original leaves were exquisitely detailed, and heavily blocked in gold. The facsimiles are also printed with gold – everything you see that looks like gold is real gold, even the raised dot points and bosses around some icons.
The printing on vellum is a new technique (the original was done by hand) patented by Grafiche Damiani and developed specifically for the Folio Society. These facsimiles are virtually identical to the originals when they were produced nearly 800 years ago.
Each facsimile page is 13x20cm. and presented in a bevelled window mount for protection. The facsimile pages are enclosed in a 35.5x27.2cm. black buckram solander box with a vellum spine label and limitation colophon on the inside cover.
A black buckram bound commentary volume with gilt titling is housed in its own slipcase (25x16.5cm.), rather than in the solander box with the facsimiles, which is a pity, as I fear the commentary will become separated from the facsimiles over time. I feel the FS facsimiles where the commentary book is housed inside the solander box with the facsimile (eg: Fitzwilliam Psalter, Queen Mary Atlas} is a much better arrangement. The 128 page commentary volume has been written by Nigel J. Morgan, and features a ribbon page marker, 8 pages of colour plates, an explanation of the art involved in producing this and similar psalters, extensive appendices, as well as a detailed description of each of the leaves.
The original price from the FS was £1250, but there were fewer than 300 copies produced, although the FS planned to produce 480 copies.
All the leaves have been photographed in this review, with both full and close-up views, but my photos do no justice to the actual facsimiles, as they do not show the brilliance of the gold adequately.
The seven facsimile leaves are titled (in order below):-
- Fall of the rebel angels
- Scenes from Adam, Cain and Abel
- Last Judgement
- Wheel of fortune
- Christ and David
- Tree of Jesse
- Early Life of Christ
Commentary volume
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
This extraordinary limited edition contains the most glorious reproductions of seven pages from a psalter that was hand crafted by the Oxford illuminator William de Braies in about 1240, and amazingly, the Folio Society has reproduced them on real vellum (calf hide) rather than the mock vellum used in all its other facsimiles.
The seven leaves are all that remain of what must have been an extraordinary work. Six leaves belong to the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, while the seventh is held by the Piepont Morgan Library in New York.
The original leaves were exquisitely detailed, and heavily blocked in gold. The facsimiles are also printed with gold – everything you see that looks like gold is real gold, even the raised dot points and bosses around some icons.
The printing on vellum is a new technique (the original was done by hand) patented by Grafiche Damiani and developed specifically for the Folio Society. These facsimiles are virtually identical to the originals when they were produced nearly 800 years ago.
Each facsimile page is 13x20cm. and presented in a bevelled window mount for protection. The facsimile pages are enclosed in a 35.5x27.2cm. black buckram solander box with a vellum spine label and limitation colophon on the inside cover.
A black buckram bound commentary volume with gilt titling is housed in its own slipcase (25x16.5cm.), rather than in the solander box with the facsimiles, which is a pity, as I fear the commentary will become separated from the facsimiles over time. I feel the FS facsimiles where the commentary book is housed inside the solander box with the facsimile (eg: Fitzwilliam Psalter, Queen Mary Atlas} is a much better arrangement. The 128 page commentary volume has been written by Nigel J. Morgan, and features a ribbon page marker, 8 pages of colour plates, an explanation of the art involved in producing this and similar psalters, extensive appendices, as well as a detailed description of each of the leaves.
The original price from the FS was £1250, but there were fewer than 300 copies produced, although the FS planned to produce 480 copies.
All the leaves have been photographed in this review, with both full and close-up views, but my photos do no justice to the actual facsimiles, as they do not show the brilliance of the gold adequately.
The seven facsimile leaves are titled (in order below):-
- Fall of the rebel angels
- Scenes from Adam, Cain and Abel
- Last Judgement
- Wheel of fortune
- Christ and David
- Tree of Jesse
- Early Life of Christ
Commentary volume
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
2folio_books
Coincidentally, there's a copy on eBay UK, ending next Thursday. You see copies only rarely. "The associated commentary hardback book has never been opened and is still packed in its original film."
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/383435545263?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/383435545263?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
3wcarter
>2 folio_books:
Amazingly, the copy number after mine, and at a good price - so far!
Amazingly, the copy number after mine, and at a good price - so far!
4LesMiserables
Outstanding. Warwick I don't believe you have shown me this one in any of my visits?
5terebinth
Certainly a wonderful production. I confess myself sceptical as to whether the intended limitation of 480 copies was even remotely approached. Our old thread on the subject ended in discussions, first of quality issues, then of the removal of the LE from the website late in 2013 and assurances from Folio that it had sold out ( https://www.librarything.com/topic/138167 ). The facts, though, of Warwick's copy being no. 5, the eBay one no. 6, and the two copies bought by members in that thread nos. 4 and 8, do at least make me wonder. Has anyone seen a copy with a three-digit number? Even two would be a start.
6folio_books
>3 wcarter: Amazingly, the copy number after mine, and at a good price - so far!
Yes, I noticed that. I confidently anticipate the final selling price to be in four figures which is above my ceiling price for any book so I'm not even contemplating bidding. Probably.
>5 terebinth: Has anyone seen a copy with a three-digit number? Even two would be a start.
If this turns out to be true then it's even more valuable than people think. Perhaps I'll consider a bid after all ...
Yes, I noticed that. I confidently anticipate the final selling price to be in four figures which is above my ceiling price for any book so I'm not even contemplating bidding. Probably.
>5 terebinth: Has anyone seen a copy with a three-digit number? Even two would be a start.
If this turns out to be true then it's even more valuable than people think. Perhaps I'll consider a bid after all ...
7bookfair_e
Copy no 27 sold by Aldersley on Ebay 30th January 2020 for £925
8affle
Numbers 84 and 163 available through ABE at present: neither with commentary, supporting Warwick"s speculation about separation.
9bookfair_e
Three copies on Abe - numbers 84, 93, and 163.
10kdweber
>9 bookfair_e: Two of which are missing the commentary.
12wcarter
>4 LesMiserables:
You only had to ask to see it.
I’ll have to arrange another FSD gathering.
>5 terebinth:
Interesting point. I wonder if there is any way of determining if the full limitation was ever produced and sold, or did it go the way of the magical winding Bayeaux Tapestry scroll?
You only had to ask to see it.
I’ll have to arrange another FSD gathering.
>5 terebinth:
Interesting point. I wonder if there is any way of determining if the full limitation was ever produced and sold, or did it go the way of the magical winding Bayeaux Tapestry scroll?
13folio_books
>12 wcarter: . I wonder if there is any way of determining if the full limitation was ever produced and sold
I dropped the Mole a line, who can't complete a full check before next week. The feeling is they didn't print the full limitation but sold between 200 - 300. I'll report back if there's anything further. Meantime, the one on eBay:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/383435545263?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
ends tomorrow. So far there is one bidder at £795.
I dropped the Mole a line, who can't complete a full check before next week. The feeling is they didn't print the full limitation but sold between 200 - 300. I'll report back if there's anything further. Meantime, the one on eBay:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/383435545263?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
ends tomorrow. So far there is one bidder at £795.
14wcarter
>13 folio_books:
Thanks for this information. Please keep us all informed about what the mole finds next week.
Thanks for this information. Please keep us all informed about what the mole finds next week.
15wcarter
>13 folio_books:
On another note, it would also be interesting to know how many of the Bayeaux Scroll were sold. My guess would be about 50. Does your mole know?
On another note, it would also be interesting to know how many of the Bayeaux Scroll were sold. My guess would be about 50. Does your mole know?
16LesMiserables
Double agents at Folio. Well well.
17folio_books
>15 wcarter: it would also be interesting to know how many of the Bayeaux Scroll were sold.
My particular mole may be unable to help, given that the scroll is still a live item - commercially sensitive and all that. I shall certainly ask but I wouldn't expect a quick response - not before next week, and then they'll have the mad rush of the new collection to deal with.
My particular mole may be unable to help, given that the scroll is still a live item - commercially sensitive and all that. I shall certainly ask but I wouldn't expect a quick response - not before next week, and then they'll have the mad rush of the new collection to deal with.
18wcarter
>17 folio_books:
The Bayeux Scroll has not been listed on the FS website for over a year, so it is hardly a live item. I suspect it as deader than a dodo. What I would like the FS to do is release the rolled scroll in a nice box, without the winding mechanism and table. Being able to touch it would make all the difference, and far cheaper without all the peripheral nonsense.
The Bayeux Scroll has not been listed on the FS website for over a year, so it is hardly a live item. I suspect it as deader than a dodo. What I would like the FS to do is release the rolled scroll in a nice box, without the winding mechanism and table. Being able to touch it would make all the difference, and far cheaper without all the peripheral nonsense.
19folio_books
>18 wcarter: The Bayeux Scroll has not been listed on the FS website for over a year, so it is hardly a live item.
Sorry Warwick, I hadn't realised it was no longer being marketed - it's not something I actively look for since I have no interest in it. I like your idea of extracting the scroll. Given these are/were made to order I imagine chances are high the scrolls are being stored separately anyway, which should make it easier. Peripheral nonsense, indeed. Worst idea Joe ever had.
Anyway, I'll follow up on your enquiry first chance I get. Maybe I can find out what the future plans are.
Sorry Warwick, I hadn't realised it was no longer being marketed - it's not something I actively look for since I have no interest in it. I like your idea of extracting the scroll. Given these are/were made to order I imagine chances are high the scrolls are being stored separately anyway, which should make it easier. Peripheral nonsense, indeed. Worst idea Joe ever had.
Anyway, I'll follow up on your enquiry first chance I get. Maybe I can find out what the future plans are.
20folio_books
Getting back to the subject, the item on eBay ended at £795. I suspect that's a great bargain for someone and I wouldn't be surprised if it was someone from FSD, following Warwick's beautiful exposition.
21folio_books
>14 wcarter: Please keep us all informed about what the mole finds next week.
My mole has dug further but can't add anything to their first guess (a prime example of ugly gender-neutral pronouns) - between two and three hundred copies of Leaves from A Psalter sold. Lack of records from the first year of sales means it can't be refined any further.
My mole has dug further but can't add anything to their first guess (a prime example of ugly gender-neutral pronouns) - between two and three hundred copies of Leaves from A Psalter sold. Lack of records from the first year of sales means it can't be refined any further.
22astroliber
I recently acquired the Leaves in fine condition in a fine solander, but unfortunately lacking the commentary as predicted by this thread. My copy is number 122. The reproductions are beautiful, but I am most taken by the fact that they are on true vellum. Likely as close to owning a real illuminated manuscript as I will come.
If anyone ever has a lead on a copy of the commentary I would be immensely interested. Does anyone know if any sections of the commentary were published elsewhere, either in book form or in an academic journal as is the case with some of the other commentary volumes?
If anyone ever has a lead on a copy of the commentary I would be immensely interested. Does anyone know if any sections of the commentary were published elsewhere, either in book form or in an academic journal as is the case with some of the other commentary volumes?
