Exciting New Project: St. Peter Codex

[Guy Selvester]

In 2007 renowned heraldic artist, Andrew Jamieson had an idea to produce a book. A magnificent, monumental vellum codex, showing the coats of arms of all the Popes from Innocent III to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, Gloriosamente Regnante. The book (The Saint Peter Codex) will be in three sections. The first will contain title, and dedication pages, prayers and a chapter on the traditions of heraldry in the Catholic Church. The second will contain paintings of the arms of the Popes one per page each one set within a unique and beautifully decorated border and finally a Roll of Honour listing the names of all the Principal Donors who made the work possible. It will be one of the largest heraldic books produced since the Middle Ages. It will use approximately 60 calf skins, and nearly one hundred grams of 23c gold paint.

Andrew who is herald painter to the British Association of the Sovereign, Military and Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta approached Officers of the Order to ask if they might become Principal Patrons of the work. In April 2008, HMEH The Prince and Grand Master of the Order of Malta, Fra Matthew Festing agreed to be a Principal Patron along with His Grace the Archbishop of Glasgow, the Most Reverend, Mario Conti.

The work will be paid for by Principal Donors. Each Donor will have their names inscribed in a Roll of Honour in the final section of the book, that their names may bear witness, through centuries to come, of their generosity and patronage of this important and historic work of art and as a testament to their enduring support and the importance of the continual Grace and Majesty of the Office of the Holy Father in Rome.

The website for the St. peter Codex can be found at: http://www.saintpetercodex.com

Oh, and they found some priest to help advice them on heraldic matters but his name escapes me at the moment.
_________________
Fr. Guy Selvester

[Kimon Andreou]

Wow! That's amazing.
If you can share the progress as it goes along it would be great. I'm looking forward for a chance to see the final outcome.

Also, if you remember the poor schmuck's name that'll be advising on heraldic matters, let us know
_________________
Kimon Andreou

[Sandy Turnbull]

[Guy Selvester]

Unfortunately, due to lack of support and lack of funds Andrew Jamieson announced on his Facebook page that he has decided to discontinue the project for the St. Peter Codex.
_________________
Fr. Guy Selvester

[Kaj Malachowski]

[Tomasz Steifer]

[Steven Harris]

The originally envisioned “Saint Peter Codex” was indeed monumental; requiring the sacrifice of sixty calves and painted with gold worth US$3650, EU€2810, or GB£2360 (depending on your preferred currency, and if my math is correct).

Although the subject matter is certainly deserving of such a treatment, given the “lack of support and funds” development, perhaps another mode of attack is warranted.

I’m certain that Mr Jamieson and his collaborators have done a significant amount of research in preparing this tome and it seems a palpable tragedy that such work should be lost to the dusts of history simply for lack of funding.

Would it be feasible (and it may very well not be) to produce a less epic edition of the work that could be sold at a more manageable cost? The originally envisioned Codex could be sold to wealthy institutions and fabulous donors.

Although those intimately involved might shudder to think of a budget version of their work – is not dissemination the ultimate purpose of collecting knowledge?

Respectful submitted,
_________________
SAHarris
harrissab@gmail.com

[Steven Harris]