I just finished this 248 page Handcrafted Russian illuminated manuscript Facsimile. It goes on sale on eBay 10/8/18
According to the description in the companion book, this version was exactly hand coped from the original 1380 codex in 1570 when the newly formed government commissioned a full history of Russia, back to the year 1000ad
It is called "The Tale of the Battle on the Kulikovo Field" in English. and "Сказка о битве на Куликовом поле" in Russian.
The battle took place in 1378 when Russia beat the Golden Hoard who had ruled their land for 100 years. The battle marked the begging of the end of the Hoards rule. It is a fascinating story. With a story within a story of a monk who took on the hoards biggest man in a joust before the battle started. I will not tell how it ends but it a great story The companion book has both a Russian and English version of a full description of the books contents and history.
I made it using traditional methods and materials, such as red oak boards, Italian goat leather, hemp cords and waxed linen thread. The text block it self was printed in 1980. I took apart the book and used the Facsimile to make the codex and the modern description to make the accompanying companion book. The end papers printed in Italy and have shiny gold accents that don't show up as well in the video, but shin in the light. I hand made the clasped from pure brass and aged them and the leather to give it that old look, as if it were a hundred or two years old already. (Not aged as to affect the quality of the book just the feel). It is great when you pick it up you feel like you are opening the real 1380's codex. The waxed dark chocolate brown Italian goat lather is so smooth, you just want to hold it for ever ( if I do says so myself, I don't want to sell it but I promised the wife I would, now that I am retired. Cant keep them all). The companion book is mad in the modern way with modern materials and covered in wedding album quality material in black.
Lazlow Scarbrow