Dear book lover and friend of the arts,
Faksimile Verlag, founded in 1974 in Lucerne, now enters a new phase while still remaining true to itself: the location has changed since the publishing house has moved from the peaceful town on Lake Lucerne to Munich, the current centre of German-language publishing and home to one of the largest manuscript collections in the world.
We have taken the “household gods” with us, according to an old tradition: we imagine them as personified virtues, such as the imperative wish for perfection, the expert handling of each and every original book, and the combination of old craftsmanship with the latest technology. We will continue to create outstanding facsimile editions in order to document, preserve, and publish the cultural heritage of humankind in one of its important facets, i.e. in the form of illuminated books.
We commit ourselves to keeping up the extensive know-how, which in the more than 35 years of our history has set milestones in fine art facsimile reproduction year after year, and the enthusiasm for our work in the “paradise of ancient books”: each facsimile book poses ever new challenges to the creativity and flexibility of researchers and librarians, producers and craftsmen alike. In this respect, each facsimile project constitutes a journey of research and discovery to an unknown land, whereby the destination or final goal (the facsimile book) comes as close as possible to the starting point (the original). A masterpiece of book art as masterpiece of facsimile reproduction.
Faksimile Verlag will continue on this path with the same passion and enthusiasm as always. In the coming years we will present outstanding examples of medieval and early modern day illumination in our program. You may already look forward to a number of further masterpieces: from early Insular illumination, Carolingian and Ottonian book painting, from French, German, and English Gothic works down to examples of late16th-century illumination, which still fascinate us today with their charming colours and comprehensive compositions.
Our website not only documents this work, displaying more than fifty masterpieces so far, but also offers the incentive to build your own imaginary medieval library which neither prince nor monastery ever possessed in this quality. The finest book form of today – facsimile editions of medieval painted manuscripts -, and the common drive for the highest quality shared by all collaborators of Faksimile Verlag make this possible.
Come and indulge in the endless world of medieval book illumination. We look forward to sharing our passion for this particular art form with you.
Sincerely yours
Armin Sinnwell
- Publisher -