Live auction - Lot 994
The first German splendid manuscript of the Bible
[Facsimile - Manuscript]
Wenzelsbibel. Vienna, Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek, Codex Vindobonensis 2759-2764.
Graz, Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt, 1981-1991
Hammer price: €
1.200
€ 1.500 / 1.800
Live bidding (Drouot*) Live bidding (Invaluable*)Bidding is closed
Lot description
9 + 1 vol., elephant folio & folio.
Publ. binding. In slipcase.
Impressive coloured facsimile of this German translation of the Bible ordered by King Wenceslas IV (1361-1419). For this work, he summoned the best illuminators in Europe to his court in Prague, who created for him between 1390 and 1400, a masterpiece of gigantic proportions and great attention to detail: 607 calves gave their skins for the total of 2400 pages, on which the two-column text, 646 miniatures and countless lovingly designed drôleries harmoniously share space. One of 780 numb. copies (n. 715). With the commentary by Michaela Kriger and Gerhard Schmidt (1996).
Joined, same ed.: Von Schlosser, Julius - Die Bielderhandschriften Königs Wenzel I. Ein Interimskommentar zur Faksimile-Ausgabe der Wenzelsbibel [...]. 1981. Folio. Sewn. (11 vol.)