Facsimile is a term for some people that is completely unknown, and for others it is associated only with stamps with a signature. It is not a false association, but the meaning of the word is much broader, and in recent years it describes an interesting branch of investment.

Definiction

The word facsimile comes from Latin. Fac simile means "do the same". And that's actually what facsimile is. According to the dictionary definition, it is an exact reproduction of a document, drawing or signature. 

Modern facsimile

Nowadays, this technique is mainly used for manuscripts and rare, richly ornamented nuacled works. It is used to describe the process of manual creation of extremely accurate reproductions, using the same tools, methods, paper and decorations as the original. The word "reproduction" does not exhaust the whole issue. Facsimile is not just a copy - it is a perfect replica. A well-made facsimile is virtually indistinguishable from the original. Very often the only option to distinguish facsimile from the original is radio-carbon dating.

Why do we need a facsimile? 

Some may wonder why a facsimile is created. Is it just our vanity and our desire to prove that we are able to create the perfect work? Fortunately, no.

In the 1970s, students and academic staff of various universities increasingly expressed the need for academic access to the works that were discussed in a lecture in order to be able to look at them better, or simply understand them better. It is obvious that wandering from hand to hand, despite the most sincere desire and caution of viewers, could permanently damage the delicate and old records. 

There is a need to create perfect copies, perfect with a prototype that can be transferred between universities or museums, so that researchers can get to know them and study them simultaneously in many places around the world. 

Scientific value

The facsimile of scientific works opens up new possibilities for us. They can be found in various universities, museums and exhibitions. This gives many people the opportunity to see works whose originals are usually inaccessible to most people. Most often they are stored in university collections and the possibility of studying them is given to a very small group of scientists. Facsimile gives us the opportunity to experience unique works, which can be groundbreaking for humanity. One could say that these are testimonies of history.

Hundreds of years old originals are priceless, and unfortunately, despite our efforts, time is mercilessly handled with each of them. Thanks to the creation of facsimiles we can, as a society, give them another few hundred or maybe even several thousand years of "life". 

Unusual investment

Nowadays, facsimile is a new, unusual investment branch. More and more people are beginning to see that they are essentially works of art. Not only do they carry scientific value, but also beautiful workmanship, which classifies them as works of art.

Facsimiles are not produced on a large scale - by hand-made techniques one facsimile is even several years of work! Complicated production process, unusual decoration and low circulation make the value of a given work grow. 

Facsimile, like works of art, is a very durable investment. They are not subject to economic fluctuations or changes in power. Their value is timeless. An investment like this is very stable.

People who have them in their collections can feel exceptionally distinguished, as few people in the world can boast of them in their collection. This distinction is comparable to having a famous painting or sculpture. 

Collecting facsimiles is a good investment for people sensitive to art and science. Many bright people are aware of the scientific value of books. We can become owners of works that have shaped nations by inspiring change and development.

The prestigious works in the collection may become a perfect family heirloom, which will distinguish the family from others. Many families have things handed down from generation to generation - it is worthwhile for them to be valuable not only in monetary terms, but also scientifically or historically. And such value is sometimes invaluable.

Investment in Poland and worldwide

In Poland, this type of collecting is a relative novelty. However, the world knows the subscriptions for the purchase of only planned facsimile emissions. The facsimile of the mysterious "Voynich Manuscript", published by the Spanish publishing house Siloe, was mostly sold in the form of pre-sale subscriptions. Although each copy cost 8 thousand euro! Publishing houses with a few dozen years of tradition of producing and selling facsimiles are mainly located in Italy, Spain, Germany and Austria. The German facsimile market is estimated at about EUR 80 million. The facsimile book "Les Belles Heures de Jean Duke Berry", one of the most famous prayer books of the Middle Ages, could be bought a few years ago for about 3 thousand euros. In 2020, its price reaches 10,000 euros. 

In our country, too, there is a great potential for facsimiles. An anonymous, honorary citizen of Nowy Sącz decided to present the town with one of the 50 albums "La Capella Sistina" - a magnificent work of three books, published by the Vatican Museum together with the Italian publisher of works of art, Scripta Maneant. It is a three-volume photographic record of the Sistine Chapel. On the occasion of 726th birthday of Nowy Sącz, the town gained an extraordinary work which is of value to all its inhabitants. Now Poland can boast that one of the 1999 copies of the album is in the hands of a public institution. This work was brought to our country by the Manuscriptum Emission House - it is currently the only publishing house in Poland that brings these extraordinary scientific books to us. The mission of Manuscriptum is to bring to our country works that we may never have the opportunity to see and understand their value. 

In Poland we attach great importance to originality. Publishers know this, so the facsimile has notarized certificates.

In our country, facsimiles of the extraordinary Gutenberg Bible were made. In 2002 it was given to John Paul II. Only 198 copies were created. At the very beginning, their value was about 30 000 PLN, while at present the last copies are sold for 58 000 PLN. 

According to a survey conducted by KPMG (one of the largest tax and economic advisory firms in the world), "Luxury goods market in Poland", 35% of wealthy Poles invest or plan to invest in art in the future. In 2016 a record number of auctions took place in Poland - as many as 280, and their value reached 100 million PLN. This trend is upward. 

Facsimile as a work of art

In addition to its undoubted scientific value, facsimile becomes a work of art because of its unique production process and the way it is decorated.

The facsimile is a perfect reproduction of the original, with all the details, even such as stains, blotches, dirt. Prints are made on specially prepared paper or parchment. Illustrations, gildings, initials and inscriptions are made by hand. In the facsimile of "Apocalypse", Heinrich von Hesler, even cavities from threads stitching damage to parchment are reproduced! For the facsimile of the Concerto in F minor by Fryderyk Chopin (which is a dream of many pianists all over the world) a special paper was brought from the manufactory from which Chopin originally took it.

A unique work of art requires a unique setting. The facsimile covers can be covered with 24-carat gold, jewellery stones, or decorated with brass fittings, which used to protect the books from destruction, and are nowadays their inseparable decorative element. A good example is the facsimile of Nicolaus Copernicus' manuscript "De Revolutionibus", which was enriched with 24-carat gold and 320 stones were fixed using jewellery methods. To this was added one of the oldest meteorites in the world, which fell to the ground in 1906, and dates back over 4.5 billion years! Thus, the astronomer's records became a jewellery book.

The facsimile can be placed in elegant wooden boxes to protect them from damage. In addition, the set includes cotton gloves - and it is in these that the facsimile should be viewed to minimise the risk of damage or soiling of the work. 

This entry opens our series on facsimiles, in which we will introduce all interested parties to the most interesting facsimiles that are available in Poland. We will present the most important scientific book in the history of mankind, tell you what the most expensive manuscript in the world is about, try to solve the mystery of the most mysterious manuscript, and write what dimensions the largest Bible ever published in Poland has. 

Author: Izabela Lemańczyk