Článek 1254
About the Book
Kutna Hora Bible is the second complete edition of the Bible printed in Bohemia – from 1489. With the range of 1224 pages and 116 wood-engraved decorations (a picture engraved into wood and hand painted), it is one of the rarest incunabula in Czech history.
It is being published in a limited edition of 199 pieces.
Kutna Hora Bible is the second complete edition of the Bible printed in Bohemia – from?. With the range of 1224 pages and 116 wood-engraved decorations (a picture engraved into wood and hand painted), it is one of the rarest incunabula in Czech history.
It is being published in a limited edition of 199 pieces.
Kutna Hora Bible was printed in 1489 (first-print – incunabula) by Martin of Tisnov, Master of the craft guild of bookmakers. He did not apply himself to the printing craft until quite late age (at the time of the Kutna Hora Bible he was around 70 years old). Originally he was a copy clerk and writer, who even at his advanced age let himself be seized by the new book-printing technology, which turned the book market upside-down at that time.
The creation of this remarkable book was marked by a great rivalry between Prague and Kutna Hora in the late 15th century. Kutna Hora was in the bloom of prosperity and its citizens did not hesitate to support the generous loan of 10 threescore groschen to Master Martin in order to get their own printed Bible as soon as possible. In the end Prague had its “Prague Bible” one year ahead of Kutna Hora, but Kutna Hora Bible excels in all other attributes. Not only it is richly illustrated, but also has a few more pages, which means that with its 612 sheets it is the largest Czech incunabula. What is fascinating on Kutna Hora Bible from the very first sight is the book’s unity, consistency of writing with painted initials, the overall harmony of composition and particular details.
Foil size, i.e. approximately 30 cm in height and 21 cm in width, the Bible in its 612 sheets is 9 cm thick, 10 cm including its wooden book cover. Only very rarely would the leather upholstery be original, usually the books were rebound later.
The facsimile accurately reproduces not only the content, but also the craftsmanship and original technology (hardware, tooling leather, bookbinding, etc.). The whole set is placed in a wooden chest with a richly ornate hinges. An accompanying book is placed in the bottom cushion of the chest. Facsimile alone weighs 5 kg, the whole set more than 8 kg.
Price: € 6 560