Facsimile
A facsimile (From Latin fac simile, "make like") is a copy or reproduction of an old book, manuscript, map, art print or other item of historical value that is as true-to-the-original source as possible using, normally, some form of photographic technique. They differ from other forms of reproduction by attempting to replicate the source as accurately as possible in terms of scale, colour, condition, and other material qualities. For books and manuscripts, this also entails a complete copy of all pages; hence an incomplete copy is known as a "partial facsimile". Facsimiles are used, for example, by scholars to research a source that they do not have access to otherwise and by museums and archives for museum and media preservation. Many are sold commercially.
Facsimiles in the age of mechanical reproduction
Advances in the art of facsimile is closely related to advances in printmaking. Maps, for instance, were the focus of early explorations in making facsimiles, although these examples often lack the rigidity to the original source that is now expected.[C. Koeman, "An Increase in Facsimile Reprints," Imago Mundi, vol. 18 (1964), pp. 87-88.] An early example being Abraham Ortelius's Peutinger map (1598).[Craig Hartley, "Aquatint," The Oxford Companion to Western Art, ed. Hugh Brigstocke. Oxford University Press, 2001; Grove Art Online, Oxford University Press, 2005. 20 April 2008.]
Facsimiles and conservation
Important illuminated manuscripts like Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry are not only on display to the public as facsimiles, but now even scholars may only consult high-quality copies.[Paul Lewis, "Preservation takes rare manuscripts from the public," New York Times - 25 January 1987 19 April 2008.] However, unlike normal book reproduction processes, facsimiles remain truer to the original colours—which is especially important for illuminated manuscripts—as well as defects.[Bronwyn Stocks, "The Facsimile and the Manuscript," - an exhibition in the Leigh Scott Gallery, University of Melbourne (on-line catalogue with additional images).]
Facsimiles play an important role in the study of history, palaeography and other fields where ready-access to an otherwise unavailable original document is essential for close examination. The copy of Edgar Allan Poe's original manuscript for "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" allows a wider availability of such resources and for researchers to see corrections and changes in the writer's autograph hand in a quality that rivals the original.
Facsimiles are best suited to printed or hand-written documents, and not to items such as three dimensional objects or oil paintings with unique surface texture.[Richard Godfrey, "Reproduction reproductive prints," The Oxford Companion to Western Art, ed. Hugh Brigstocke. Oxford University Press, 2001; Grove Art Online, Oxford University Press, 2005. 20 April 2008.] Reproductions of those latter objects are often referred to as replicas.
Books of which facsimiles have been made
A very incomplete list includes:
 Gutenberg Bible
Book of Kells
Hours of Catherine of Cleves
Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry
Utrecht Psalter
Voynich Manuscript
External links
Specialist bookseller, with good information on editions
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