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ISSN 1039-3498 | no. 50| April 2001
Facsimile of the Book of Kells
In August 2000 Gateways reported that a facsimile copy of the Book of Kells had come to the National Library on loan. Early in March that loan was changed to a gift through the generosity of the former owner, Mr Frank Peters of Canberra.
The beautiful full-colour facsimile volume, published by Faksimile Verlag Luzern of Switzerland in a limited edition in 1990 is an exciting addition to the Librarys collection of rare books. A faithful reproduction of the original, it is an outstanding example of the art of facsimile reproduction.
The Library holds earlier facsimiles of the Book of Kells in its collection. Among them is a very interesting edition published in Berne in 195051, signed by the Taoiseach Eamon de Valera, and presented to the government and people of Australia by the government and people of Ireland to mark the 50th anniversary of Federation.
Above: Mr Frank Peters with the Director-General Jan Fullerton, signing the deed of gift
Please address any comments and enquiries to The Editor, Gateways: dthomas@nla.gov.au