Very nice, but not something im interested in.

http://www.foliosociety.com/book/FBH/1fi...

The Fitzwilliam Book of Hours:

Publication date: November 2009

Limited to 1,180 numbered copies.

Bound in specially commissioned silk jacquard. Page edges stained and gilded on three sides.

Printed on Furioso paper with Hahnemuhle Bugra Butten endpapers.

Ribbon marker, 370 pages, 8" x 5¼"

Presented in a cloth-bound solander box with gold blocking.

Commentary volume: quarter-bound in cloth with paper sides and inset title label. 144 pages. 8" x 5¼"

Wow. Price $950 US is steep but tempting even at that.

This being a Fitzwilliam/Cambridge manuscript, it doesn't seem likely that there will be a low-price retail edition, unlike some of the recent FS-British Library projects (Holkham Bible, Luttrell Psalter, St. Edmund Martyr).

>2 "This being a Fitzwilliam/Cambridge manuscript, it doesn't seem likely that there will be a low-price retail edition."

Not yet, but you never know. Another, recent, acquisition of the Fitzwilliam is the Macclesfield Psalter:
http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/gallery/...

You can get a book or CD-ROM of this at 'normal' prices.
http://www.fitzwilliammuseumshop.co.uk/M...

I have the CD-ROM and the images are all high-resolution. Of course, it doesn't compare to a FS LE, but it is at least more "within the reach of everyman".

(This is purely for interest and information. I have no connection whatsoever with the Fitzwilliam Museum!)

Interesting--I even own the Macclesfield Psalter facsimile, but forgot it was from the Fitzwilliam's collections.

I could so use $950 right now... and it wouldn't go towards any book :)
Well... maybe part of it would go to a nice physics book or two! Mostly, it would go towards food... yup, good food is expensive! and I'm not talking about dining out either.

cheers,

-astropi

Ever since I got a copy of Maurits Smeyers' book 'Flemish Miniatures' I am fascinated by Medival manuscrips. I always dreamt of buying a high quality facsimile of a Book of Hours. Unfortunately specialised facsimile publishers like Faksimile Verlag Luzern or Bibliotheca Rara usually ask several thousand pounds for a copy. I am wondering how FS can produce a facsimile at such a low price? Do they compromise on the quality of reproduction?

Anyway, since I already purchased Moby Dick LE, Les Misérables LE and Rubáiyát LE since I joined FS in June I should probably postpone any further LE madness till next year.

For those of you who share my interest in old manuscripts here are a few YouTube links to a BBC4 documentary on illuminated manuscripts:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17pzabDOx...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtFH44Ecn...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_SoOt2c0...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViPv1jhQl...

...I should add that the BBC documentary features the Fitzwilliam collection of old manuscripts.

I must say that this looks absolutely beautiful - the first FS facsimile which gave me a really strong hankering to buy it. (And at half the price of King Henry's prayer book, too...)

I wish I had more money and less mortgage.

Message edited by its author, Oct 21, 2009, 1:13pm.

I too am very interested in the Fitzwilliam book of Hours facsimile. I do not own any books of this nature but I am very interested in illuminations. Finding $950 just before the Christmas season might be a bit tricky but it is worth a try.
Do you feel that this facsimile, or any facsimile, is worth this much?

I am seriously interested in this edition, it might be the one to baptise me into collecting LE Books.

Message edited by its author, Nov 5, 2009, 4:17pm.

I have to admit I don't actually -know- what a Book of Hours is, therefore it's certainly not something I'd part with £495.00 for... Would these be considered an obscure interest or have I gone way out of my intellectual depth? I do think so at times reading some of the posts on here lol

I'll be saving my money for an attempt at procuring a copy of Night Thoughts some time next year if they haven't all vanished reckon :)

Message edited by its author, Nov 5, 2009, 5:02pm.

>9

I bought 2 facsimiles of Book of Hours back in the 60s--one was The Hours of Catherine of Cleves, which cost over $50 new, and is worth about $25 today in Fine condition. The other was Tres Riches Heures du Duc de Berry which cost $150 new, and is worth about that today. Medieval illuminated manuscript facsimiles don't seem to hold their value that well, unless they feature special binding, are limited edtitions, and even then, I don't know if I would consider them the best investment. Then again, if you like to own a beautiful piece of art (in reproduction, of course), they are awfully nice to look at. (As literature, they are somewhat less than satisfying). I'd spend the money on Night Thoughts--and did!

I agree with Django--limited edition facsimiles tend to depreciate in value over time (here, I mean by "facsimile" a book consisting of photographed pages). I'd stick with Folio's new interpretations of the classics (such as Wind in the Willows or the Rubaiyat) or, better yet, the first complete publication of a work--an example being Night Thoughts as Django points out. I have a copy of Night Thoughts, too, and heartily second his recommendation.

The Liber Bestiarum, which I think is a very handsome book (I own it), is still available at the FS website 18 months after the release.
So this supports Django's view.

By the way: I saw a nice new feature on the FS website: a look-inside-the-book feature (as we know from Amazon) but with a sound when you turn the pages. Well done!
http://www.foliosociety.com/book/BYS/lib...

>11

If you are interested to find out more about this genre of books I would recommend to have a look at the Sforza Book of Hours at the virtual books page of the British Library:

http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/virtualbo...

You might have to install their Silverlight plugin to view the books. It is a nice multimedia experience, allowing you to turn the virtual pages, zoom into details and listen to some background information.

Wonderful site, Stephan. Thank you!

>15

Thanks for that, I shall have a good explore. Most luxurious items in their day it would seem!

Most luxurious items they still are.....The recent facsimile of the Book of Hours of Katharina von Kleve by Faksimile Luzern will set you back 11000 (eleven thousand!) euros (or 10k GBP).

Wow... serious hardcore bibliophile spendage! I'm feeling guilty just -considering- getting the Night Thoughts for £1050 lol Even if I did have the money and inclination I don't think I could personally justify (to put it crudely) blowing ten grand on a book!

You are probably right, not necessarily a good investment and considering it is in latin, which I do not read, it would be just for the illuminations and fine calligraphy. Very tempting but guess I will pass.

To avoid misunderstandings, I am not able to spend that much money on a book either. I just get the flyers from Faksimile Luzern regularly after I asked for the price of a specific book some time ago. However I would like to know the difference in quality between their books and the and the facsimiles produced by FS.

Oh I can understand that, if it's a somewhat unaffordable passion the FS edition does sound like a bargain compared to other such facsimilies.

Is it not possible to find an excuse to visit London with a browsing trip to the Members Room mayhaps? I've never visited the capital before, I think I'd need to save up a fair bit as I don't think I could resist a visit to the Folio Society's Cave of Wonders lol

There are plenty of low cost flights from Rotterdam to London and even a high speed train in case the extra luggage gets to expensive.....

Hehe, sorry to tempt you!

An option to be considered though if needs and wants be :)

No need to apologise! I am planning to visit London anyway. I lived two years in Bedford and visited London quite often back then. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) I hadn't a clue about FS in those days. Anyway I am looking forward to visit the National Gallery and the British Museum again....and while I am there why not risking a visit to the Members Room.

Ah, that's okay then lol

Sounds like a nice trip to look forward to indeed, I hope you don't return home with too much excess book luggage though for the sake of your finances!

Message edited by its author, Nov 10, 2009, 1:58pm.

I have a request for anyone thinking of ordering the Fitzwilliam. Please do not do it!

I ordered Night Thoughts in July with the expectation that I would receive it sometime this month (Delivery November promised the webpage). It is now the end of the month and no NT so I checked the webpage to find that it has changed to Delivery January. Naturally I e-mailed FS to ask why. And their answer? I quote from the reply I received today: ". . .it is due in part to the fantastic response we have had to our latest publication, The Fitzwilliam Book of Hours, which the same binders have been working hard to complete." Expected delivery of my NT has been pushed back to January 17. The only thing keeping me sane was that November delivery date and now I have to wait almost another two months. How will I ever last? So please, please, think twice before hitting that Add to Basket button for the Fitzwilliam. Sigh, at least I can be consoled with the thought that if it comes that late in January my father will have gone home by then (he'll be here for Christmas) and I won't have to explain to him why I would want to buy a book that just has poetry and pictures in it and not a good story or useful information.

I e-mailed the Society today with a query as to when the LE "The Diary of Samuel Pepys" would be shipped. I received a reply that the LE manager had sent a letter explaining the delay and that I should receive it (the letter) soon. Starting to look like it won't be here in time for Christmas.

I think all this postponement and changing the goal posts is a shambles.

It wouldnt be so bad if they didnt charge you until they shipped.

They should only take a maximum of 5% deposit to secure in my opinion.

Hi Atheistic
I did the same today, as the FS had said delivery in mid-November (having ordered well back in September). I got a similar response: mid to end-December. I was THEN told, that as my number was fairly advanced (I think I got in with 42 to go), that it might not even be until January. Frankly, I am not chuffed, as first of all nobody even bothered to inform me when I first ordered that there was a delay then, and now they are telling me at least two weeks after it should have arrivedl (that letter hasn't arrived yet) that it has been even further delayed! In the meantime, they have been taking instalments off me.

So, I think you will be lucky if you do get it by Christmas. I'm not putting any money on it, and after the big disappointment with Letter from America, my previously very high opinion of FS has taken a bit of a dive. I don't care if they had a fantastic response to the Fitzwilliam offer - the possibility of that should have been built in when they were planning.

PS (later edit): the website now says delivery January. At least FOUR months after ordering a product that was effectively advertised as being available immediately, and whilst taking my money.

Message edited by its author, Nov 28, 2009, 7:36am.

>27

haniwitch, I had been lusting over NT since the day it was first published, several years ago, and those fiends at the FS sent me a full sample page of the book. I agonized over such an expensive purchase a long time and only gave in last June when I found out about the installment plan. If it's any consolation, you'll find it well worth the wait.

>28

ditto the above for the LE Pepys, which is great, but not so remarkable as NT.

> 19 "Even if I did have the money and inclination I don't think I could personally justify (to put it crudely) blowing ten grand on a book!"

It all starts small. One book every bibliophile or book lover should read is Hans Peter Kraus' A rare book saga. One starts buying an incunabulum for $135 and ends up buying a manuscript for $750,000!

Fortunately, I don't have $750,000 to spend on anything.

Hmmm. Mortgage on a house or mortgage on a book?
I find myself with no urge whatsoever to get that manuscript.

Just fyi--I received a letter late last week concerning the delay in the shipping of the Pepys' Diaries and, interestingly, the good folks at FS offered to let me cancel my order and refund my installment payments. I'm not going to do that, but it does look like that the books won't arrive before Christmas. I also checked the FS website and the number of sets left is down to 17. Will there be a run on the Pepys?

> 35 Did they give a reason for the delay ?

The reason given, as I think someone else has mentioned, is that the printer has been busy meeting orders for the Fitzwilliam Book of Hours--and so the Pepys has been put on the back burner.

>35
I think there HAS been a run on the Pepys: when I ordered mine in August they had 37 sets--that means 20 sold in three months. Unless Scroogitis runs rampant this holiday season, I suspect the Pepys will be sold out come spring.

> 37

Sounds like its the binding then. The sets will already be printed but unbound. I am not sure why Folio produce LE's in this way but I am sure that there is a sound logistical and business reason for it. Having said that, the delay is pretty poor. However, as the proud owner of a LE Pepys, I would say that the wait will be worth it. Patience is a virtue !

#39
I'm tired of being virtuous. I've been patiently waiting since July for my copy of Night Thoughts and now its production has been hijacked by the Fitzwilliam (FS confirmed it in an e-mail and letter). And like podaniel they also offered cancellation and refund of money paid; which seems a little strange--are they hoping everyone will cancel so they don't have to complete production or explain any more delays? And shouldn't it be the Fitzwilliam people who have to wait? Pepys and Night Thoughts have been offered for years, they should be first in the production line. I just hope there aren't any new LEs coming up that will push our orders back even further. And then the logical side of me points out that I wouldn't have had time to even look at the books if they had stuck to the original delivery time frame. January will be much quieter, there will be more room for it (Christmas trees take up so much space in a small house) and less people to complain about my wasting money. Oh well, I guess it's back to being virtuous. ;-)

In order to maximize their efficiency and minimize cost, I'm sure they want to bind as many copies of Pepys (or Night Thoughts) as they can at a time. The 20ish Pepys that sold in the last three months seems reasonable but maybe they are hoping to do all the remaining 37 in one shot, hoping this forum causes a run on the remaining 17...must not succumb, must not succumb, must be strong, step away from the Folio Website...

If they have a choice of binding 500 Fitzwilliams, 98 Night Thoughts, or 20 Pepys, I know what their bean-counters will tell them to do.

> 41

Is this the equivalent of ramping :-)

#41
I know, I know, it's all perfectly logical. But I hope your post doesn't put any ideas into the bean-counters' heads about waiting until there's a run on Pepys or Night Thoughts. I get the awful feeling from comments on various threads that I'm one of the few NT people who haven't received their order. I just wish the Fitzwilliam people hadn't been so enthusiastic.

I have to say, I was singularly unimpressed with the wording of the letter I received, apologising, but effectively saying that it was for a great reason, that there had been so much enthusiasm for the Fitzwilliam book. And.....????

Message edited by its author, Dec 8, 2009, 4:04pm.

I'm with you Willoyd. Maybe it would be easier to share their enthusiasm if they gave us a cut of the profits from the Fitzwilliam book. I'm feeling distinctly dys-pepys-tic.

The fact that they increase the price on older LEs and that they take longer to get seems sort of...wrong to me.

The main problem, I think, is that fine binders who can claim to be able to service a company like Folio at a reasonable price and in sufficient numbers, in Britain, are fast disappearing. The bindings are virtually hand-made and at best, this is still a cottage industry with comparatively few employees. There are only two firms which seem to be used with any regularity:

Smith, Settle
http://www.smithsettle.com/ (Click on 'Gallery' to see a slideshow of the Holkham Bible being bound)

and The Fine Book Bindery (which is a reincarnation of a previous firm that went under a few years ago)
http://www.finebinding.co.uk/prtfolio.ht...

And, of course, FS are not their only customers.

>47
Spot on, I think: binderies which specialize in fine press books are a vanishing species. I recently heard from another Folio Devotee that Weber-Benteli in Switzerland, a long-established bindery who did a wonderful edition of Epictetus for the Limited Editions Club back in the 70s just declared bankruptcy. If a single product from some of these small companies fails to sell, it could mean failure in this era of tight credit.