MS 5543

600th ANNIVERSARY MAGNA CARTA DEDICATED TO PRINCE REGENT

MS 5543
MS Short Title 600th ANNIVERSARY MAGNA CARTA DEDICATED TO PRINCE REGENT
Text

  1. Magna Carta Regis Johannis XV die Junii AD MCCXV, original text    as signed by John in 1215
  2. Conventio inter Regem Johannem et Barones, Covenant with    Articles of the Barons in 1215

Description MS and printing in liquid gold on vellum, London 1816-1817, 50 ff, 24 pp (complete) 57x43 cm, single column (29x25 cm) 31-35 long lines printed in liquid gold with gold frames, surrounded by watercolour drawings with armorial designs in shape of scrolls, initials in gold, also architectonic surrounds, watercolours of the great and small seals of king John, two title-leaves with armorial watercolour surrounds, dedication page to HRH the Prince Regent of England with 12 roundel miniatures within 18 orders and medallions and architectural design in gold and bright colours, 6 giant paintings, up to 55x42 cm and 34x44 cm depicting King John, HRH Prince Regent, John seated surrounded by barons, bishops and abbots, the actual signing of Magna Carta, and a Baron standing at the Convention, all artwork by John Harris Sr. and Jr.
Binding London, 1817 red-brown morocco sewn on 6 double cords, elaborately gilt and blind-tooled, outer borders with fillets and roll-tools including flowers, oak leaves and acorns, upper cover with gilt central panel with wavy scrolls, flowers and text, lower cover with central royal crown, wreath and motto, all edges gilt, wide turn ins with border, yellow watered silk endpapers gilt hinged brass lock with two keys by Mordan & Co.
Context Only four Royal individually sumptuously illuminated and extra illustrated copies were made for: 1. King George IV of England (now in BL), 2. King Louis XVIII of France (now in BNF); 3. Emperor Alexander of Russia (Now in former Imperial Library, National Library of Russia); 4. HRH the Prince Regent of England (present copy in The Schøyen Collection). There were further copies in various formats, usually paper or thick card copies without most of the large illustrations and usually without the rare text 2.
Provenance 1. HRH the Prince Regent of England; 2. Edward Kenman Martyn; 3. Sotheby's 10.7.2012:21
Commentary The first book printed by John Whittaker using his newly invented process of printing in burnished gold letters.
Place of origin England
Dates 1816 AD