The Aberdeen Bestiary, housed within the Aberdeen University Library (MS 24), stands as a premier example of medieval bestiaries, distinguished by its opulent illuminations. Crafted in England circa 1200, this manuscript is particularly valuable not only for its artistic beauty but also for the unique glimpse it offers into the medieval creative process. Marginal notes, preliminary sketches, and various proofs of its design and execution stages enrich our understanding of its creation.

This manuscript shares a close textual and aesthetic relationship with another significant work, the Ashmole Bestiary (Oxford, Bodleian Library, MS Ashmole 1511). The parallels between these two manuscripts provide invaluable insights into the practices of medieval workshops, revealing the collaborative and iterative nature of creating illuminated texts during this period.

The Aberdeen and Ashmole Bestiaries are part of a rich tradition of medieval literature that combines zoological knowledge with moral and religious allegories. Other notable examples in this genre include the Physiologus, an earlier text that influenced the development of bestiaries by blending natural history with Christian symbolism, and the Rochester Bestiary (British Library, Royal MS 12 F.xiii), known for its exquisite illustrations and varied collection of animal tales.

Together, these manuscripts not only highlight the medieval fascination with the natural world but also demonstrate the era's distinctive approach to blending empirical observation with theological interpretation. The detailed illustrations and allegorical narratives found in these works continue to captivate modern audiences, offering a window into the medieval mindset where art, science, and spirituality were inextricably linked.

REPRODUCTION DETAILS: OUR HARDCOVER BOOKS ARE MADE WITH REAL WOOD FOR THE INTERIOR OF THE FRONT AND BACK COVERS AS WELL AS THE SPINE. THE LEATHER IS A 4 OZ COWHIDE, FROM A SMALL SUPPLIER IN NORTH CAROLINA. THE LEATHER IS ADHERED TO THE COVERS WITH GLUE AND MOLDED INTO THE SHAPE AT THE HAND OF OUR LOCAL ARTISANS. THE SIGNATURES/PAGES ARE HANDSEWN USING A LIBRARY BINDING METHOD. THE SEWN BOOK IS BOUND WITH A STRONG ADHESIVE GLUE THAT MAKES THE BINDINGS LAST, ESPECIALLY FOR THE LARGER BOOKS. WE ALSO ADD A THICK MULL CLOTH TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE BINDING, DRYING IN BETWEEN EACH LAYER, A TRADITIONAL WAY TO MAKE THE BINDING STIFF, STRONG, AND RESILIENT FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

NOTE: ALL OF OUR FACSIMILES ARE MADE TO ORDER. PLEASE ALLOW 4-6 WEEKS FOR NOTIFICATION OF SHIPMENT.