Folio Society Facsimile Edition of Liber Bestiarum 2 Volumes with Clamshell Solander Box Numbered 852/ 1980

The Liber Bestiarum or sometimes referred to as MS Bodley 764, the name and location at the Bodleian Library, is one of the best Bestiarys’ of the middle ages to survive. 
Two volumes with clamshell case. Facsimile of Liber Bestiarum (Vol. I) and Translation and Commentary (Vol. II). Translation by Richard Barber. Commentary by Christopher de Hamel. 

This facsimile edition is limited to 1,980 numbered copies, this being 852

*Limited to 1,980 copies
*Bound in full goatskin leather of finest Nigerian grade
*Blocked in gold and three colours, with traditional raised bands on the spine
*Binding design by David Eccles
*Gilding on all three edges, ribbon marker
*137 folios, with 135 miniatures with the original gold leaf reproduced in foiling
*282 pages in total. 12" x 7¾"
*Commentary by Christopher de Hamel and translation by Richard Barber
*174 pages. Book size: 12" x 7¾"
*Presented in a buckram-bound solander box (clamshell box)

Published by: The Folio Society, London
Year: 2008. 

Liber Bestiarum is considered one of the most beautiful, illuminated bestiaries from the mid-13th century “with its elegant lettering and striking burnished gold adorned illustrations. It is believed to be the bestiary identified in the first catalogue at Oxford University in 1605, where it remains today some 400 years later. In the commentary, in addition to attempting to decipher the origin and history of the bestiary’s ownership, de Hamel explains that the purpose of bestiaries during the Renaissance period was not actually for natural history purposes, as is often believed, but as another biblical meditation tool for monks and clergy. He points out that each passage and illustration can be used to show the will of God, as well as prophecies of the Bible through the lives of animals. He states, “The important point is not simply that a preacherly raconteur could draw a moral lesson from anecdotes about animals, as in Aesop’s Fables, for example, but that the creatures had been divinely created and endowed with characteristics specifically for that reason”

Condition: The clamshell is in remarkable and near perfect condition with no damage. The two volumes are in Near perfect and appears to have been never read or with very minimal signs of use. No damage to the pages in wither volume. The hand written number is perfect. A near perfect example of this book. Please see the images for more details. 

If you have any questions or if you need additional images, please feel free to email me.

Note:
shipping cost is for US only, if you are an over seas buyers please email me your shipping address to get a shipping quote