The World’s Most Expensive Book Donated to Library

The New York Public Library is the recipient of a new book, La Dotta Mano (”The Learned Hand”) — just don’t expect to see it on the New Arrivals shelf any time soon. The hand-crafted volume, which weighs 62 lbs., takes six months to manufacture and costs over $100,000.

La Dotta Mano is a celebration of the life and work of Michelangelo. The front cover of the book is made of white marble culled from Michelangelo’s favorite quarry in Carrara, Italy. The binding is red silk velvet, handmade by the same Italian shop that created the main stage curtains at The Metropolitan Opera in New York City and Teatro Alla Scala in Milan. The pages inside the book are of paper manufactured by one of Italy’s oldest paper mills (the same mill, incidentally, where Picasso bought his paper). La Dotta Mano contains photographs of Michelangelo’s work, his poetry, and text written by biographer Giorgio Vasari, with essays by Antonio Paolucci, the director of the Vatican Museums.

“I did it because I’m a crazy woman!” exclaims Marilena Ferrari, the Italian publisher. “I love books.”

Ferrari has slapped a 500-year warranty on the book, which is as long as Michelangelo’s art has endured. More than 20 books have already been sold.

La Dotta Mano will be on display December 2 - 8 at the New York Public Library. After that, it will live in a temperature-controlled happy place among the NYPL’s Gutenberg Bible and other priceless books.

 

Story Source  Journal Inquirer, Rare Book News  |  Image Source  BallerHouse

December 1, 2008 | Filed Under Newsies 

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