Folio Archives 205: The Fitzwilliam Book of Hours Limited Edition 2009
DiscussionsFolio Society Devotees
Rejoignez LibraryThing pour poster.
1wcarter
The Fitzwilliam Book of Hours MS 1058-1975 facsimile Limited Edition 2009
This extraordinarily accurate and faithful facsimile of a profusely illustrated Flemish book of hours dated around 1510 is absolutely exquisite. With 63 full page gilded illustrations and intricately illustrated borders filled with birds, insects and flowers on every page (some with teasing meanings), this is a book that I read with a magnifying glass when I first received it in order to appreciate the fine brush work and nuances of the flawlessly preserved original.
When originally completed by hand, it was one of the most luxurious books of hours produced in the 16th. century. It is now one of the jewels in the Medieval collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum at Cambridge University.
The 370 page facsimile has been printed on heavy mock vellum paper, and is bound in blue Jacquard silk blocked with a gilt design reminiscent of the page borders. All page edges are gilded, and there is a dark blue ribbon page marker. The endpapers are plain blue.
The 144 page commentary volume by the Keeper of Manuscripts at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Stella Panayotova, explains the rationale behind books of hours, describes the book structure, translates the text, investigates the artists and details the provenance. It is quarter bound in dark blue buckram with mid-blue paper covers. There is a cover paper title label and gilt spine titling. The endpapers are illuminated with oil paintings of women studying their books of hours. There is one colour illustration in the commentary showing the disfigured coat of arms of the original owner.
The Solander box that contains both volumes is mid-blue with gilt spine titling and is 22.9x16.3x6.7cm. 1180 copies were printed, and the release price was £495.
Commentary volume
Endpapers of commentary volume – same front and back
Promotional leaflet
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
This extraordinarily accurate and faithful facsimile of a profusely illustrated Flemish book of hours dated around 1510 is absolutely exquisite. With 63 full page gilded illustrations and intricately illustrated borders filled with birds, insects and flowers on every page (some with teasing meanings), this is a book that I read with a magnifying glass when I first received it in order to appreciate the fine brush work and nuances of the flawlessly preserved original.
When originally completed by hand, it was one of the most luxurious books of hours produced in the 16th. century. It is now one of the jewels in the Medieval collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum at Cambridge University.
The 370 page facsimile has been printed on heavy mock vellum paper, and is bound in blue Jacquard silk blocked with a gilt design reminiscent of the page borders. All page edges are gilded, and there is a dark blue ribbon page marker. The endpapers are plain blue.
The 144 page commentary volume by the Keeper of Manuscripts at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Stella Panayotova, explains the rationale behind books of hours, describes the book structure, translates the text, investigates the artists and details the provenance. It is quarter bound in dark blue buckram with mid-blue paper covers. There is a cover paper title label and gilt spine titling. The endpapers are illuminated with oil paintings of women studying their books of hours. There is one colour illustration in the commentary showing the disfigured coat of arms of the original owner.
The Solander box that contains both volumes is mid-blue with gilt spine titling and is 22.9x16.3x6.7cm. 1180 copies were printed, and the release price was £495.
Commentary volume
Endpapers of commentary volume – same front and back
Promotional leaflet
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
3Jayked
When I received my copy I thought that FS must have reduced the size of the original, the brushwork so fine that it's hard to believe, done only by daylight or candlelight. One of my favourites, and in a size that makes reading a pleasure.
4boldface
If FS employed Warwick to photograph the products I'm sure they would fly off the shelves at twice the rate. Just look at that sumptuous binding in Dr Carter's first few photos, where every silk thread leaps off the page, and then at the lacklustre effort in the promotional leaflet. I really regret passing on this now. Those wonderful figures around the Calendar pages are straight out of Bruegel.
5whytewolf1
Just gorgeous. Thanks for sharing!
6NLNils
I found myself reading the photographed commentary pages to find out more about the facsimile which is beyond our grasp in Medieval Latin. A very enjoyable little reading to start the morning! Thanks.
7Firumbras
Folio, under JWB, did some of their best work in bringing high quality facsimiles of late medieval books with prices within the reach of everyman.
Glad I got this over a decade ago (greatly aided by an instalment plan).
Glad I got this over a decade ago (greatly aided by an instalment plan).
8UK_History_Fan
>7 Firumbras:
Wholeheartedly agree. When I compare the JWB and Sue Bradbury era to today under Ms. Omnichannel it leaves me sad and nauseous.
Wholeheartedly agree. When I compare the JWB and Sue Bradbury era to today under Ms. Omnichannel it leaves me sad and nauseous.
