Deluxe facsimile edition Codex Etschmiadzin Yerevan (Armenia), Mashtots Matenadaran Archive, 2374

The Gospel of Etschmiadzin, written in 989 at the monastery of Norarank in the provence of Blen (southeast of Yereran), is considered the most faithful copy of the Old Armenian Bible translation—the "Queen's" version—dating back to the early 5th century.  The 15 full-page illustrations proceeding the biblical section derive from an even early period, representing the most faithful reflection of the system of decoration developed by Eusebius of Caesarea in the first half of the 4th century for his rendition of an evangelary and which subsequently became a standard for all manuscripts of this kind.

Two folios (sewen into strips of parchment) bound into the last layer of the manuscript are the real artisic and spiritual culmination of Codex Etschmiadzin. These folios, with 4 monumental full-page feast day illuminations depicting the Annunciation, the Annunciation to Zacharias, the Adoration of the Magi and the Baptism of Christ, are from a 7th-century evangelary, and as such, are the oldest example of Armenian book illumination. Thanks to the inclusion of these fragments from a manuscript 300 years older, the "new" codex, also on account of its rare binding—a splendid ivory diptych dating from the 7th century—has always been of particular significance to historians. Format: 26 x 34.5 cm, 464 pp. Volume 105 of the series "Codices Selecti". Published by Akademische Druck- und Verlagsanstalt in 1999. Available in two versions: "deluxe" edtition which reproduces the ivory cover and a "standard" edition with leather boards. Euro 15,800 / 10,800 . Please call for special OMI price.

OMI - Old Manuscripts & Incunabula PO Box 6019 FDR Station New York NY 10150 tel 212/ 758-1946 • http://www.omifacsimiles.com • immels@earthlink.net