Mackworth-Praed, Ben, text compiled by, — The Book of Kells.

London, Time Life/Random House, (1998). Fine. Richest, most copiously illuminated manuscript version of the four Gospels in the Celto-Saxon style that still survives. The Abbey of Kells was plundered at least seven times before 1006 when the book was stolen and buried for three months. When recovered, its jewel-encrusted golden cover had gone forever. Every region where Christianity flourished produced Gospels in its own particular style but few decorated them with such magnificence as the monks of northern Britain and Ireland, where the so-called "Insular" style evolved and flourished. A beautiful little gem of a book (4-1/2" X 6-1/2"). Burgundy binding, gilt lettering, paste down pictorial kell on front cover with gilt design outline around it.