52 Weeks of Fantastic Bindings, Week 52: an embroidered Bible presented by Charles I, on behalf of Queen Anne, to Sir Harry Wardlaw of Pitreavie
This is another treasure I found while exploring some online special collections at the world’s greatest libraries (in this case, the University of St. Andrews). I am so grateful that we can all access treasures like this!
I have never wanted to own anything so valuable as this, but I would enjoy being part of a team of skilled craftspeople, collaborating to create such masterpieces.
Well, we’ve saved the best for last. The final post of this year-long series of fantastic bindings has been reserved for what is probably the most significant and beautiful binding in our collection: the Wardlaw Bible. This Bible is a copy of the c. 1640 Amsterdam printing of the Geneva Bible and New Testament along with the Edinburgh 1640 printing of The CL. Psalmes of David in meeter, according as they are sung in the Church of Scotland. Both of these works are in very clean condition, and the Psalter is quite rare (only five other copies reported on ESTC), however it is not the contents between the covers that we are interested in, it is the covers themselves.
This Bible has been bound in contemporary green velvet over boards (see right) with embroidered board edges, with all its edges having been gilt and gauffered. This…
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I love discovering things like this through blogs like yours but I have to say all I want to do is touch this.
I was going to say, “Alas, ’tis not for commoners such as you or I…” but then St. Andrews Special Collections commented and said that would be possible!!! I’m planning my trip now!
next time you’re in St Andrews, you can! Just get in touch!
I would be thrilled just to see them!
I just found your blog a few weeks ago, and I love it! It is such a rich source of inspiration. Thank you for all the work that goes into it. And thank you for visiting my blog. I hope I really can visit you all in person some time.
Wow. I echo the desire to reach out and touch. Beautiful.