The Luttrell Psalter: A Facsimile

Michelle P. Brown (Author of Commentary)

ISBN 10: 0712349340 / ISBN 13: 9780712349345

Published by The British Library, 2006

About this Item

Bound in blue publisher's cloth, covers are plain with a burgundy title box and gilt lettering on the spine. Dark salmon endpapers. The facsimile Luttrell Psalter pages are beautifully reproduced in full, brilliant colors, and printed on a thick, semi-gloss paper. Other contents are typeset in dual columns and include: The Historical Context (The Luttrells and Their Book; Where, When and Why was the Luttrell Psalter Made?; Reading the Luttrell Psalter; The Makers of the Luttrell Psalter; The Stylistic Context; Comparative Plates, and Concluding Thoughts); The Commentary (with general description and iconographic contents); and a Bibliography. 55 page commentary at the front. The facsimile plates are numbered on the recto (right) side only of each leaf to page 309. Illustrated dust jacket is also in full color, and is protected by a plastic protective sleeve. This book measures 14" tall x 9.75" wide x 3" thick and weighs 12 lbs. FROM THE DUST JACKET: "The Luttrell Psalter is one of the British Library's greatest treasures. It is an illuminated manuscript that was commissioned by Sir Geoffrey Luttrell (1276-1345), a wealthy landowner who lived at Irnham, Lincolnshire. Planned and made over a number of years between 1330 and 1345, it was created by several artists who probably all joined the Luttrell household for the duration of their work. As a result of their close connection with the patron's family and everyone else alongside whom they lived, it is one of the most personalised manuscripts, providing a unique glimpse of medieval life. Famous for its long series of scenes of life in rural England, with incredibly detailed depictions of people at work and play, other pages often reveal an illuminator with a lively imagination and marvellous sense of colour. Very few people before now have had the opportunity to turn and admire these 624 wonderful pages. This full-size facsimile edition gives everyone the chance to do so. As a helpful aid to the reader, the volume also contains a scholarly commentary by Michelle Brown which tells the story of the manuscript in great detail and includes a folio-by-folio description."ABOUT THE COMMENTATOR: "Michelle P. Brown was formerly Curator of Illuminated Manuscripts at the British Library. She remains with the Library part-time, promoting its collections, and is also Professor of Medieval Manuscripts Studies, School of Advanced Study, University of London, Visiting Professor to the Institute of Medieval Studies, University of Leeds, and a Lay Canon and Chapter member of St. Paul's Cathedral, London. She has lectured, broadcast and published widely on the subject of medieval manuscripts." (From the dust jacket). CONDITION: Ex-library. Contains typical library spore with spine label, library bookplate on front flyleaf, and sticker on copyright page. Mild discoloration marks along textblock edge and some wear to the protective dust jacket sleeve. Except for ex-library markings, this is a gorgeous copy. The facsimile plates are absolutely stunning and are without flaws. At over 12 lbs. with packing materials, due to the size and weight, an additional shipping charge will apply and will be requested after order is placed. Please note that this item will be delivered with signature required. Full refund if not satisfied. Seller Inventory # 074717

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Luttrell Psalter: A Facsimile

Publisher: The British Library

Publication Date: 2006

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Very Good

Edition: Facsimile Reproduction.

About this title

Synopsis:

The Luttrell Psalter is one of the British Library's supreme treasures. It has more than 600 pages and the delicate task of recreating this masterpiece of English medieval art so accurately into a complete full size facsimile edition has taken well over a year to achieve. Every stage of the production process has been subjected to the greatest attention to detail, from reproducing the subtle effect of fine worked gold and silver that decorate the pages of the manuscript, to finding a modern paper which matches the weight and feel of the original animal skin vellum pages. This is a huge book in every sense: it measures over 7 cm in depth (and 36 cm long by 24.5 cm wide), and weighs just over 5 kilos. Very few people before have had the chance to turn and admire these wonderful pages; now it is open to everyone to do so in the comfort and leisure of their own home. This is a rare opportunity to own a superlative facsimile of one of the greatest medieval manuscripts anywhere in the world, and we anticipate demand to be high. The volume also contains a 64-page scholarly commentary by leading medieval manuscripts expert Michelle P. Brown, which details the history of the manuscript and includes a folio-by-folio description.

Review:

"General readers will find [the book] interesting and understandable as the manuscript is so engaging and attractive. This is the sort of book one might acquire at the museum shop after seeing the Psalter on display. It definitely answers any questions one might have about this beautiful book; and the illustrations allow one to see the imaginative illuminations again and again."--Jack Edson "Catholic Library World "