The Dolores star., 1924-12-05

hotel in Chicago refused 10 accept the Bibles froi.
the Gideons for It's guest rooms the ground
that the patronage would he of such high type
that they would not be needed. But the
patrons 'of such high type" made many com
plants about the absence of Bibles in the rooms
that the management found it necessary to supply
them. Moral: People do not get either too high
or too low in the social scale to find comfort and
inspiration in Its pages
The Italian purchase Is the record high price
for Bible BY this purchase Italy has recovered
one of her most famous art treasures-the Bible
of Borso d'Este. duke of Ferrara-through the
generosity of Sgnor Treccani. Il wealthy citizen
OF Milan The book was produced in the Fifteenth
century, and has long been regarded MS "A remark
able example of the art of the Italian renaissance
1t was taken from Italy sixty-odd years ago and
finally found its way into the hands of Paris
dealer. Signor TreccanI paid 100000 lire or
S25OOOO. for the book
Duke Borso dEste was fortunate enough to
live in peaceful times and able to dcd-
cate himself to the development of the fine arts
The court of Ferrara, which had ALWAYS been
noted for its gay and splendid entertainments
acquired under his rule fame as an artistic
and intellectual center. Artists sculptors, poets
and men of science and literature nocked to Fer
rara and were welcomed at court, and aid and
support were given to all who showed talent or
genius
This was century when artists did not con
completing one work of art and rendering it per-
feet. Thus one sees marvellous works of patience
and talent In the manuscripts of the time, most
of which were painted and ilIumined by monks
who often passed a whole lifetime illustrating
one book or manuscript
Duke Borso d'Este had "A special preference for
the art of illumination and miniature paintinp
and he called to his court two of the best.known
artists of the time. Taddeo dl NicOlo Crvelli and
Franco di Giovanni de ltuSsi of Mnntua and hay-
ing taken house in Ferrara, where they might
work undisturbed, coniided to them the importnnt
task of illustrating the Bible. The book is com
posed of two volumes in parchment one contain
ing 81 pages, the other 293 and these ore cav
cred with about thousand Examinations and
miniature paintings illustrating the episodes of
the scriptures. The ornamental borders are n
fantastic mixture of animals and flowers in color
Inc hr'lsts We're employed seven years, from l455
to l462, to complete their great work
The ancient binding in cloth of gold vtb si,
yer ornaments and gilt clasp, was substituted in
the Eighteenth century by another gorgeous hind
ing, but of inferior artistic value
Until 1883 this Bible was the gem of the duc,,
collection of art at Modena. In that wear D,lo
Francesca V. was exiled to Austria and took tho
Bible with him, together with other famous Ito,
ian works of art. The book afterwnrd fell into
the hands of Archduke francesca FerdInando ,,nn
sold 1t to the Emperor Francis Joseph The ON
peror treasured 1t as sacred object until b,v
death. when Charles | took possession -, 4.
FINALLY the hard necessities of life compelled hin,
10 sell the book to an antiquary In Paris Sipnor
Irecchni never failed to follow the wandarip,
of the Bible and soon as he discovered ~,
1t was in the hands of the Paris dealer bo NOV.
TO that city 1t appears that American bonter
after the contract was signed offered onotber mi,
lion, but Signor Treccani refused To copsido ~,
oner, declaring that he Intended the book ms a
Sift to Italy. to which 1t really belonged.