Wednesday, November 21, 2018

The most beautiful book


As a lettering fanatic, I was completely blown away when I got to see the St. John's Bible recently.


It's the first completely hand written, illustrated Bible in more than 500 years and wow! What a beautiful book, wonderful beyond imagining.


My photos can't possibly capture it but I had to try.


The main body of the text is very old style lettering, similar to what you'd expect in a historic manuscript but the words are modern and the art and calligraphic are are very contemporary. Capital letters sprinkled throughout are fabulous and the colors really pop.



Hours raced by unnoticed as we paged through the seven books that measure about 2' tall and 3'wide when opened. 



Close up, you can see the amazing amount of detailed painted and gold leafed into the book. 
What a labor of love, and master calligrapher Donald Jackson, formerly chief calligrapher for Queen Elizabeth, did an incredible job with his team.





If you'd like to see this for yourself, you can find more information here.
Seeing the most beautiful book in the world was on my bucket list for years and
I can promise you will not be disappointed.


Every pen stroke, every detail are just beautiful, with care lavished on even the tiniest bits.




I hope you have the opportunity to see the most beautiful book. 
Its words of life and truth are life changing and the calligraphy and illustrations in this copy of the Bible are wonderful beyond description.