AUTHOR: COMMISSIONED BY ABBOT OF METTEN PETRUS I

LANGUAGE: LATIN

DATE: 1414-1415

PAGE #: 223

REPRODUCTION DIMENSIONS: 11.75 X 7.75 IN

HISTORY/DESCRIPTION: THE PAUPERS’ BIBLE WAS COMMISSIONED BY ABBOT PETRUS I OF THE BENEDICTINE ABBEY, OF METTEN IN BAVARIA, AND WAS COMPLETED IN 1414–1415. TO CARRY OUT HIS DEMANDING PROGRAM OF MANUSCRIPT CREATION, THE ABBOT ENGAGED ARTISTS OF NOTE, WHO WERE WELL VERSED IN THE TRADITION OF BOHEMIAN ILLUMINATION. SAID TO CONTAIN THE SUMMA OF THE RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE OF ITS TIME, THE MANY IMPORTANT TEXTS IN THE MANUSCRIPT INCLUDE: THE “FIGURED POEM” DE LAUDIBUS SANCTAE CRUCIS (IN HONOR OF THE HOLY CROSS) BY RABANUS MAURUS (DIED, 856); THE BIBLIA PAUPERUM ITSELF, AND THE TREATISE DE SACRO ALTARIS MYSTERIO (CONCERNING THE SACRED MYSTERY OF THE ALTAR) BY POPE INNOCENT III (DIED, 1216). THE GOSPELS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MANUSCRIPT, TOGETHER WITH THE FINE BINDING INTO THE COVERS, OF WHICH RELICS OF SAINTS ARE INCORPORATED, FORM A PLENARY RELIQUARY. THE MANUSCRIPT RESIDES IN THE BAVARIAN STATE LIBRARY, IN MUNICH, GERMANY.

REPRODUCTION DETAILS: OUR HARDCOVER BOOKS ARE MADE WITH REAL WOOD FOR THE INTERIOR OF THE FRONT AND BACK COVERS AS WELL AS THE SPINE. THE LEATHER IS A 4 OZ COWHIDE, FROM A SMALL SUPPLIER IN NORTH CAROLINA. THE LEATHER IS ADHERED TO THE COVERS WITH GLUE AND MOLDED INTO THE SHAPE AT THE HAND OF OUR LOCAL ARTISANS. THE SIGNATURES/PAGES ARE HANDSEWN USING A LIBRARY BINDING METHOD. THE SEWN BOOK IS BOUND WITH A STRONG ADHESIVE GLUE THAT MAKES THE BINDINGS LAST, ESPECIALLY FOR THE LARGER BOOKS. WE ALSO ADD A THICK MULL CLOTH TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE BINDING, DRYING IN BETWEEN EACH LAYER, A TRADITIONAL WAY TO MAKE THE BINDING STIFF, STRONG, AND RESILIENT FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

NOTE: ALL OF OUR FACSIMILES ARE MADE TO ORDER. PLEASE ALLOW 4-6 WEEKS FOR NOTIFICATION OF SHIPMENT.