Facsimile

A facsimile (from Latin fac simile, "make like") is a copy or reproduction of an old book, manuscript, map, art print or other item of historical value that is as true to the original source as possible using, normally, some form of photographic technique. It differs from other forms of reproduction by attempting to replicate the source as accurately as possible in terms of scale, color, condition, and other material qualities. For books and manuscripts, this also entails a complete copy of all pages; hence an incomplete copy is a "partial facsimile". Facsimiles are used, for example, by scholars to research a source that they do not have access to otherwise and by museums and archives for museum and media preservation. Many are sold commercially, often accompanied by a volume of commentary. They may be produced in limited editions, typically of 500–2,000 copies, and cost the equivalent of a few thousand United States dollars.

Facsimiles in the age of mechanical reproduction

Advances in the art of facsimile are closely related to advances in printmaking. Maps, for instance, were the focus of early explorations in making facsimiles, although these examples often lack the rigidity to the original source that is now expected. An early example being Abraham Orteliusmap]] (1598). Innovations during the 18th century, especially in the realms of lithography and aquatint saw an explosion in the number of facsimiles after old master drawings that could be studied from afar.

Facsimiles and conservation

Important illuminated manuscripts like Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry are not only on display to the public as facsimiles, but now even scholars may only consult high-quality copies. However, unlike normal book reproduction processes, facsimiles remain truer to the original colors—which is especially important for illuminated manuscripts—as well as defects.

Facsimiles are best suited to printed or hand-written documents, and not to items such as three dimensional objects or oil paintings with unique surface texture. Reproductions of those latter objects are often referred to as replicas.

Books of which facsimiles have been made

A selection of some books that have had facsimiles made of them includes: [http://www.facsimile-editions.com/en/ab Alba Bible] - see also Alba Bible
[http://www.facsimile-editions.com/en/bh Barcelona Haggadah]
Codex Sinaiticus - 4th century Greek Bible
[http://www.facsimile-editions.com/en/ds Dead Sea Scrolls] See also Dead Sea Scrolls
Gray's Anatomy
Gutenberg Bible
Hours of Catherine of Cleves
Book of Kells
[http://www.facsimile-editions.com/en/kb Kennicott Bible] See also Benjamin Kennicott
[http://www.facsimile-editions.com/en/mb Me'ah Berachot]
[http://www.facsimile-editions.com/en/me Megillat Esther]
[http://www.facsimile-editions.com/en/nf North French Miscellany]
[http://www.facsimile-editions.com/en/pp Parma Psalter]
[http://www.facsimile-editions.com/en/ps Perek Shirah]
[http://www.facsimile-editions.com/en/rm Rothschild Miscellany]
Rothschild Prayerbook
Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry
Utrecht Psalter
Voynich Manuscript

Translation

The word "Facsimile" occurs as such in the following languages: English, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese.

Translation(s) in other languages: Catalan: Facsímil, Czech: Faksimile, Danish: Faksimile, German: Faksimile, Esperanto: Faksimilo, Spanish: Facsímil, Finnish: Näköispainos, French: Fac-similé, Croatian: Faksimil, Luxembourgish: Faksimile, Norwegian (Nynorsk): Faksimile, Norwegian (Bokmål): Faksimile, Polish: Faksymile, Russian: Факсимиле, Swedish: Faksimil, Ukrainian: Факсиміле.