Book of Hours of Isabella the Catholic.

Book of Hours of Isabella the Catholic.
With box and study book.
Edition 1991. Copy 109/980.
Editorial testimonio.
Measurements: 33 x 26 x 11 cm.

Original preserved in the Library of the Royal Palace of Madrid. This manuscript, jewel of the Royal Palace Library, was the wedding gift of the city of Zaragoza to Queen Isabella the Catholic (1469). It consists of 730 pages and 3,487 miniatures.

Currently, the publishing house that has produced this extraordinary facsimile presents it in two different bindings: one, in Mudejar binding in blue goatskin, stamped in gold and without hardware, a replica of the binding that the codex currently has in the Royal Palace (also available among our articles); and another, more exclusive and also more expensive, in blue goatskin binding with gold-plated hardware, gold clasp and gold cuts, a replica of the original binding of the 15th century that was discarded by the Queen as "luxurious" (this is the one that corresponds to this article). The interior of both is exactly the same, differing only in the binding.

The Book of Hours, defined as the "Breviary of the Laity", originated in Paris in the 14th century and spread widely throughout Europe by the kings, the nobility and the wealthy bourgeoisie, who used it as a symbol of their social position. This codex stands out for the beauty of its iconography, which places it among the most appreciated of the so-called Flemish school. Its almost 3,500 miniatures are a clear example of the luxury and prestige that these illuminated manuscripts attained.

This facsimile reproduction is absolutely faithful to the original, not only in the iconography of brilliant tonalities, but also in the perfect imitation of the vellum used as support in the original. It was awarded the prize for the Best Edited Book in the Facsimile and Bibliophile category, granted by the Ministry of Culture. Limited edition and numbered by notary, already sold out in its national sale in both types of bindings.

The facsimile is presented in a deluxe open slipcase for better protection and so that the gilt hardware does not damage the side books when placed in your library; and a complementary volume with a study by Ana Domínguez Rodríguez, from the Complutense University of Madrid, format 17 x 23.5 cm in paperback with dust jacket, is included separately.