A single volume of The Saint Johns Bible is now on permanent display on the first floor of the O’Toole Library. Currently the opening page of Isaiah from the Prophets volume is on view, with an astounding illumination. Come view the Bible in its new home, in the case behind the Reference Desk.*
What is The Saint Johns Bible?
The original Saint John’s Bible was commissioned by Saint John’s Abbey in Wales and the Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minn in 1998. Spearheaded by renowned calligrapher Donald Jackson, teams of artists in Wales and scholars in Minnesota worked together to create this seven volume Bible, the first known hand-written and illuminated Bible in more than 500 years.
The Saint John's Bible, Heritage Edition
A single anonymous benefactor recently donated a Heritage Edition reproduction of the Saint Johns Bible to the College. The Heritage Edition of The Saint John’s Bible is the full-size fine art reproduction of the original. Measuring two feet tall by three feet wide when open, it is the exact size of the original manuscript. Each volume is signed by the chief scribe and illuminator, Donald Jackson. The edition is limited to 360 signed and numbered sets and contains the same seven volumes as the original. Many of the illuminations are touched-up by hand, including the burnishing of gold leaf.
More tidbits on The Saint John’s Bible
Smithsonian Magazine called the Saint John’s Bible “one of the extraordinary undertakings of our time.”
The paper for the Heritage Edition of The Saint John’s Bible is supplied by Monadnock Paper Mills, a family-owned paper mill in Bennington, New Hampshire, and the oldest continuously operating paper mill in the United States
His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI described it as “a work for eternity.”
Reproducing with accuracy:
The translucent vellum pages of the original make “show-through” an integral part of the artwork. This is recreated on the cotton pages by printing—in reverse—a light watermark of the adjacent page.
Curious to see it yourself?
Please stop by the case behind the Reference Desk to view this marvelous work of art and craftsmanship melding with theology.
Best,
Daisy DeCoster
Assistant Librarian, Reference and Instruction
*Additional volumes/ pages of the Saint John’s Bible may be viewed by appointment in the Library’s Rare Books/ Special Collections which is housed in the Guarini Center for Community Memory on the Ground Floor of the O’Toole Library. Please contact Librarian, David Hardgrove (dhardgrove@spc.edu) to make an appointment.
