Leonardo da Vinci: Paris Sketchbooks - Series I (Facsimile)

Leonardo da Vinci, born in 1452 in Anchiano near Vinci, began making his notes in the 1580s. He wrote his handwriting in mirror writing, partly because he was left-handed and also to keep his thoughts secret.

In total, he filled over 7,200 pages in 25 notebooks (codices), which today are an invaluable source of information on his interests such as flight, water, anatomy, art, horses, mechanics and geology. These extensive notes give us a glimpse into the fascinating world of one of history's greatest geniuses.

The twelve so-called Paris Sketchbooks and two supplementary volumes, deposited in the Bibliothèque de l'Institut de France, have been published by Facsimile Verlag in a complete and perfectly faithful facsimile edition, divided into four series.

We offer two of the four series, a total of 7 original manuscripts in a limited collector's edition.

Leonardo da Vinci: Paris Sketchbooks - Series I

The first series of Leonardo da Vinci's unique Paris Sketchbooks presents four exceptional manuscripts in a deluxe facsimile edition. The manuscripts document Leonardo's ideas on the subjects of geometry, drawing, physics, mechanics and the proportions of the human body. All the notes are written in his characteristic mirrored handwriting.

The sketchbooks were mostly written between 1485 and 1509 and provide a fascinating insight into Leonardo's world - a world where science, art and intuition intertwine in extraordinary harmony.

The edition also includes the famous Codex Ashburnham II, the second half of Manuscript B, which was recovered and reassembled after its 19th-century theft.

Specifications:

• Library of originals: Bibliothèque de l'Institut de France, Paris
• Edition: limited to 990 hand-numbered copies, number 220
• Language: Italian, mirror writing
• Overall size: 35x26,5x20 cm
• Publisher: Faksimile Verlag (in collaboration with Institut de France and Eikon Editores)