Jean-Claude Gawsewitch; Pierre Barthélemy - Le Code Voynich - 2005

Remarkable unique collector edition of Le Code Voynich, dedicated to one of the most enigmatic manuscripts in the history of the book.

Originally published by Jean-Claude Gawsewitch in 2005, this important full leather-bound 240-page work presents the Voynich Manuscript in its entirety. It allows readers and collectors to explore in detail its mysterious writing, its botanical drawings, its astronomical diagrams, its zodiacal figures, its cosmological diagrams and its strange characters.

This particular specimen has been transformed into an exceptional object of artisanal leather binding by La Casa di Bo’, in Italy. The original book has been fully hand-bound in genuine leather, with a patinated antique-looking finish. The first cover features a striking circular motif in relief, inspired by the enigmatic astronomical and cosmological illustrations present in the manuscript. The carved leather decoration, the carefully worked spine and the warm patina of the binding give the whole the appearance and presence of an ancient collection codex.

The book is kept in a custom-made presentation case, hand-crafted in solid wood specifically for this volume. The case is decorated with metal tacks and bears the title Le Code Voynich engraved on its outer face. Inside, a deep red textile lining creates an elegant contrast with the leather binding while protecting the volume during storage and display. This case turns the book into a true cabinet-of-curiosities piece, ideal for a private library, an office, a rare books collection, or a display case.

The edition includes a French foreword by Pierre Barthélémy, which introduces the Voynich Manuscript, the main attempts at decipherment, and the major hypotheses concerning its origin and function. The original manuscript is generally dated to the 15th century, notably through analysis of the parchment on which it was created. Since its rediscovery in 1912 by bookseller Wilfrid M. Voynich, after whom it is named, it has sparked the interest of historians, linguists, alchemists, cryptographers and researchers worldwide.

Is it a treatise on herbalism, a medical work, an alchemical text, a coded cipher, or a document written in an unknown language? Its writing system has resisted all serious attempts at decipherment, which makes it one of the most fascinating intellectual mysteries of the medieval world.

This is not merely a published book, but a unique work of artistic binding and decorative craft. The combination of a French edition devoted to the Voynich Manuscript, a genuine leather binding, a relief-covered design, and a solid wood engraved case creates a collector’s object that is particularly distinctive and spectacular.

An ideal acquisition for rare or unusual book collectors, enthusiasts of historical manuscripts, cryptography and code-breaking, fans of esoteric literature, as well as anyone who appreciates traditional handmade bindings.

Key features

Title: Le Code Voynich

Work studied: the Voynich Manuscript

Foreword: Pierre Barthélémy

Language: French

Publisher: Jean-Claude Gawsewitch

Publication date: November 1, 2005

ISBN: 9782350130224

Original format: bound edition with dust jacket

Number of pages: 240

Binding: artisanal hand-binding in genuine leather

Cover decor: circular relief motif, inspired by the manuscript’s astronomical and cosmological diagrams

Presentation: custom solid-wood case, handmade, engraved with the title and decorated with metal tacks

Case interior: presentation compartment lined with deep red textile

Craftsmanship: handmade in Italy by La Casa di Bo’

Condition: excellent

Status: unique artisanal collection piece

Book dimensions: 27 cm x 32 cm

Case dimensions: 31 cm x 38 cm

Total weight: 4.0 Kg