LANGUAGE: LATIN

DATE: 1050 AD

PAGE #: 416

REPRODUCTION DIMENSIONS: 11.75 X 8.75 IN

DIMENSIONS: 11.25 TALL X 8.75 WIDE (INCHES)

HISTORY: "REICHENAU GOSPELS" WRITTEN IN LATIN, IS BELIEVED TO COME FROM THE ABBEY OF REICHENAU, ON LAKE CONSTANCE, GERMANY, IN THE MID 11TH CENTURY. THE DECORATION OF THE MANUSCRIPT PLACES IT IN THE SO-CALLED LUITHAR SCHOOL OF REICHENAU. GOLD UNCIALS, A DISTINCT MARK OF REICHENAU MANUFACTURE, BEGIN EACH PARAGRAPH, AS WELL AS THE INTRODUCTORY WORDS OF EACH CHAPTER. AN EXAMPLE OF OTTONIAN BOOK ILLUMINATION, THE WORK INCLUDES FULL-PAGE MINIATURES OF SAINTS MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE, AND JOHN, AND OF THE HOLY GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST, ACCORDING TO EACH OF THE FOUR EVANGELISTS. THE ORIGINAL PRINT WAS MADE WITH CREAM PARCHMENT OVER PASTEBOARD AND INSCRIBED ON THE SPINE WITH EVANGELIAIRE XE SIECLE. IT IS CURRENTLY LOCATED AT WALTERS ART MUSEUM.

REPRODUCTION DETAILS: THE HARDCOVER BOOKS ARE MADE WITH TWO PIECES OF REAL WOOD ON THE INSIDE. THE LEATHER IS A 4 OZ COWHIDE, FROM A SMALL SUPPLIER IN NEW YORK STATE. THE GLUE WE USE TO ATTACH THE LEATHER TO THE WOOD IS MADE AT OUR FACILITY, AND IS A PERIOD CORRECT WHEAT GLUE. ALONG THE SPINE, WE USE A MODERN PERFECT BINDING, WITH MODERN GLUE, TO MAKE THE BINDING LAST LONGER. WE ALSO ADD THREE LAYERS OF MULL CLOTH TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE PERFECT BINDING, DRYING IN BETWEEN EACH LAYER, A TRADITIONAL WAY TO MAKE THE BINDING STIFF, STRONG, AND RESILIENT. THE END RESULT IS A BINDING THAT WILL LAST GENERATIONS TO COME.