BOOK Of KELLS: MANUSCRIPT, 201 PHOTOGRAPHS/CELTIC IRELAND/BIG/SLIPCASE/BIG 1974
Item History & Price
A large and scarce book that shows the extent of the decoration in the Book of Kells. A handsome large hardcover book, lavishly illustrated with more than 200 photographs of the ancient manuscript. Published 44 years ago, this book is now long out-of-prin...t and hard-to-find.
From the Preface: "The aim of this edition is to show the illustration and decoration of the Book of Kells in colour. It includes all the full page illustrations in the manuscript and a representative selection of the ornamentation that is to be found on the text pages. In all 93 pages and 6 half pages are reproduced complete. In every case a recto of the original manuscript has been kept as a right-hand page and a verso as a left-hand page In addition to these reproductions there are 30 plates of greatly enlarged details from the illustrations..."
According to wikipedia: "The Book of Kells, sometimes known as the Book of Columba, is an illuminated manuscript Gospel book in Latin, containing the four Gospels of the New Testament together with various prefatory texts and tables. It was created in a Columban monastery in either Britain or Ireland and may have had contributions from various Columban institutions from both Britain and Ireland. It is believed to have been created c. 800 AD. The text of the Gospels is largely drawn from the Vulgate, although it also includes several passages drawn from the earlier versions of the Bible known as the Vetus Latina. It is a masterwork of Western calligraphy and represents the pinnacle of Insular illumination. It is also widely regarded as Ireland's finest national treasure. The illustrations and ornamentation of the Book of Kells surpass that of other Insular Gospel books in extravagance and complexity. The decoration combines traditional Christian iconography with the ornate swirling motifs typical of Insular art. Figures of humans, animals and mythical beasts, together with Celtic knots and interlacing patterns in vibrant colours, enliven the manuscript's pages. Many of these minor decorative elements are imbued with Christian symbolism and so further emphasise the themes of the major illustrations..."
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Very Large, thick and very heavy folio-sized hardcover book in hardcover slipcase; 226 pages with 126 color plates and 75 monochrome illustrations. Near Fine condition: no writing or markings in the text; no torn or missing pages; no ownership markings. Original publisher's hardcover binding, with almost no wear. Light wear to slipcase, some edges of the mustard-colored cloth are unglued. A scarce and well-illustrated large book.
Please look through my other auction listings- I have listed many scarce and unusual books this week on ebay. Please bid on more than one book, because I will be happy to reduce shipping costs for multiple purchases; media mail postage is $6 for this listing, and $1 for each additional book that you win from me. International bids welcomed, international airmail postage $60; Canadian airmail postage $40.
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