We do not only reproduce books. These documents we are working with are much more: they are unique living witnesses of mankind’s cultural achievements. Their inner value is of the greatest importance, and their outer appearance is accordingly sophisticated. That’s why they should be reproduced in the highest quality, with the finest materials available.
Old books are very delicate concerning environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity or light. They have to be protected – but they are also ambassadors. As such ambassadors, it is their task to spread the the two main aspects of their message: content and outer form. But how can these manuscripts – unique handmade single pieces – be used as ambassadors, when they have to be strictly protected? We have the solution: in producing a faithful, true-to-the-original reproduction down to the smallest detail. Brilliant colours and eventually radiant gold or silver, bonded to paper with the most advanced technical methods, show the same characteristics as the original; the borders of every page are cut true to the original. But also holes in the original’s paper, exfoliations or remarks attached during the manuscript’s or document’s course of life as well as faults have to be included.
Only then a true-to-the-original copy – reproducing the original in every aspect – can replace the sumptuous original.
A Facsimile Edition can be used in many different ways:
- in exhibitions and presentations worldwide to transport the rich culture without the danger of compromising the irreplaceable original
- as an exclusive gift representing its culture and its heritage in a very personal and unique way –in fact the most personal gift possible
- as an exclusive instrument to improve and enlarge cultural exchange between legacies, to get a better understanding of different cultures.
Driven by our philosophy – by providing our customers with these ambassadors – books in the highest quality, produced by using the most modern technologies as well as centuries old methods of traditional craftsmanship we try to contribute to cultural exchange for a better understanding between peoples.
“In any case, our editions give the impression of holding the original. Just without the original.”
Charlotte Kramer, chairwoman & owner
Binding and Refinement
There are countless possibilities of boxes or slipcases to protect the edition. Furthermore, our editions are accompanied by a commentary volume, giving the owner of the facsimile edition a scientific overview on the original: its origins and why it was created, its history and a description of its contents, for example miniature descriptions if there are any.
We are also able to make different bindings, for example:
- as a leather-bound luxury edition with real gold embossing, edge guilding or even real gold printing as a genuinely unique gift for important guests and friends
- as a standard edition bound in artificial leather (or other more simple materials) for educational institutions, students or libraries for educational purposes
- and perhaps one unique copy, most exclusively equipped, for example with real gold applications done by hand and a very special luxury case (almost anything is possible) for example as a gift for heads of state
