“Here are beauties which pierce like swords or burn like cold iron..."

[delphipsmith]

"...Here is a book that will break your heart." C.S. Lewis, on The Lord of the Rings.

Benjamin Harff, a German art student, has made this doubly true. He decided for his capstone project to do a hand-illuminated, hand-bound copy of Tolkien's The Silmarillion. He spent six months on it and had the volume bound in leather by a professional hand book-binder (he assisted).

It is the most beautiful thing I've seen, such a remarkable labor of love and art.

Here are pictures, and an interview + more pictures.

In these days of 140-character tweets and instant this-n-that, my heart is reassured when I see evidence of appreciation for Things That Take Time.

Also of course we wants it precious, we wants it!!!

Comments

[noeon.livejournal.com]

This is sooo amazing. I'm still howling over 21st century elvish-monk style :)

[delphipsmith]

I know, isn't that brilliant LOL?! Can't you just see Glorfindel or Elrond on his day off, skritching away with a quill pen, tongue poking out the corner of his mouth in concentration? Delightful :)