El Libro de las Profesias by Cólon, Cristóbal (Christopher Columbus); Cesar Olmos - 1984

Madrid: Testimonio Compañía Editorial y el Patrimonio Nacional, 1984. Facsimile. Hardcover. Fine. Quarto. Bound in decorative leather with Moorish-styled brass accent studs on board. 30x22 cm. Housed in a grey and black slipcase. Limited edition, this is number 384/750 (of which only 683 were for sale). Written after his third new world voyage (1501-1505), it is a journal of apocalyptic prophecies and observations by the aging explorer as he neared the end of his life. An impeccably done exact replica of the original handwritten copy housed in the Biblioteca Capitular and Columbina in Seville. The artists who prepared the work under the direction of reknowned book artist Cesar Olmos faithfully and painstakingly recreated every nuance from the original: tears, edgewear, silverfishing, and - yes - even tape repairs. A marvellous book, as worthy as an artists' book as a glimpse into history. Does not include the companion study volume. In fine condition (naturally excepting the deliberately contrived "flaws") in a slipcase with one bumped corner and minor edgewear.