Description:

Lavish Ltd. Ed. Hand-Crafted Facsimile of Rothschild Miscellany, 15th C. Hebrew Manuscript

A limited edition hand-crafted facsimile of the Rothschild Miscellany, a suite of mixed religious and secular texts in Hebrew dating to the Italian Renaissance, reproduced by Michael and Linda Falter of Facsimile Editions, London (The Israel Museum, Jerusalem: 1989). The 2-volume set consists of the facsimile of the original illuminated manuscript, which took four years to complete; as well as a Commentary volume, in complementary binding, offering analysis from five modern scholars. This limited edition set is #496/500 and is accompanied by a signed and stamped corresponding Certificate of Authenticity issued by The Israel Museum and Facsimile Editions, London. Light expected wear. The set is missing its original presentation portfolio box, else in near pristine condition. The two volumes stacked measure 7.5" x 9.5" x 7.375" overall.

The lot is comprised of:

1. Michael and Linda Falter, "The Rothschild Miscellany" (Facsimile Editions, London and The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, 1989), 948pp.

The original manuscript's figural, animal, floral, and foliate illuminations in tempera, as well as the scribe's Ashkenazic script, have been scrupulously reproduced through offset lithography. Metallic accents have been applied by hand in three different styles, powdered, burnished, and flat, using real gold and silver leaf. 816pp of the facsimile edition feature either color elements or hand-applied metallic accents. Printed on pH neutral parchment paper. Bound in morocco goatskin embossed with elaborate geometric designs, complete with chased sterling silver clasps and leather thongs, the whole housed in a hinged cloth-covered slipcase edged in goatskin measuring 7.25" x 9.5" x 5.375."

2. Michael and Linda Falter, "The Rothschild Miscellany: A Scholarly Commentary" (Facsimile Editions, London and The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, 1989), 256pp. Printed in Italy on Magnani mould-made paper, with embossed goatskin covers. In a cloth-covered slipcase measuring 7" x 9.5" x 2.125."

Scholarly articles include an Introduction, a "Historical Background to the Manuscript," "The Literary Content of the Manuscript," "A Paleographical and Codicological Study of the Manuscript," "The Illumination and the Artists," and "The Facsimile's Binding."

Michael and Linda Falter established the London-based firm Facsimile Editions in 1980. Its mission was to provide access to the world's most important manuscripts by painstakingly creating museum-quality facsimiles, which could be experienced in three dimensions. As stated on their website, Facsimile Editions seeks "to rescue from obscurity some of the world’s finest [works]…by reproducing them to a standard hitherto unseen in the history of publishing…recreat[ing] not only the appearance but also the overall aura of the original manuscripts." The Falters have notably issued facsimile editions of the Kennicott Bible, Alba Bible, Parma Psalter, Barcelona Haggadah, Catalan Mahzor, Dead Sea Scrolls, and many others, in addition to the Rothschild Miscellany.

The original Rothschild Miscellany was produced in the Veneto region of Northern Italy, ca. 1460-1480. The original manuscript contained over 35 distinct texts, making it a true miscellany, with material covering religious content and commentary, literature, philosophy, astronomy, law, and ethics. The Rothschild Miscellany was gifted to The Israel Museum in Jerusalem by James A. de Rothschild in the 20th Century.

Extensive information regarding the facsimile-making process of the Rothschild Miscellany is available on the Facsimile Editions website, https://facsimile-editions.com/rm/. A brief summary is included below in order to underscore the rigorous standards of the reproduction process.

The Falters' pledge to faithfully replicate the Rothschild Miscellany in both its visual appearance and tangible aspects is evident on every page. Each page of the disbound original manuscript was professionally photographed. The pages were then printed in multiple colors using offset lithography, with each undergoing exhaustive proofing for quality control. The texture of the original vellum was ingeniously replicated by milling special paper in Italy, to the exact thickness and texture of the original, and then artificially aging it and including imperfections such as pricking marks and bookworm holes. There was no extant binding to the Rothschild Miscellany so binding inspired by the period was designed and fashioned out of rich, dark, supple animal skin. The binding of each limited edition set was numbered and blind-stamped with metal dies. The Facsimile Editions printing plates were destroyed (with special religious dispensation) after the limited edition run was completed.

Provenance

Accompanying paperwork includes:

1. A signed and stamped Certificate of Authenticity, noting the limited edition #496/500, from The Israel Museum and Facsimile Editions, London.

2. A booklet explaining how to properly handle the facsimile edition of the Rothschild Miscellany.

3. Various shipping information for this limited edition facsimile Rothschild Miscellany acquired in 2019, including the international packing list.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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