In 1990, Manuel Moleiro, a Spanish individual, embarked on an ambitious task. His goal was to democratize knowledge and preserve the wisdom found within magnificent masterpieces from the Middle Ages. To achieve this, he established a publishing house with a specialization in replicating rare manuscripts and codices. These precious works were once only accessible in esteemed libraries and museums worldwide.
Moleiro’s publishing house, established over 30 years ago, has earned high esteem and recognition in the Western world. Having published 50 titles, Moleiro is now showcasing his remarkable works at the Abu Dhabi Book International Fair. This fair, held in the capital of the United Arab Emirates until May 28, 2023, enables Moleiro to expand his influence and reach a broader audience with his extraordinary creations.
“Democratizing means giving openness to the works, and they are not reserved only for a few; when you visit a museum, and you meet one of these books, you see it open for a page, only one percent of the publication is available,” said the firm’s representative, Diego de Urbiola, in a statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
He also explained, “While there are many Picassos that hold value in the market, these manuscripts have a unique nature, with only one copy in existence. If one of these manuscripts were to disappear, the knowledge contained within would be lost forever.”What we do is to preserve it and leave it for posterity.”
Embracing a New Market: Moleiro’s Strategic Decision
After receiving an invitation to participate in the Abu Dhabi Book Fair, the Moleiro firm made a strategic decision. They saw this as an opportunity to “open up” to a market where they are relatively unknown, as stated by Urbiola. Recognizing the potential of the event, they eagerly embraced the chance to showcase their works. Their goal was to expand their presence in this new market and establish a stronger foothold.
This is not the situation of the publishing house in Europe, where it has managed to build a “well-known curriculum”. Royal families and the Vatican possess their works, and their works have even appeared in movies such as “The Name of the Rose” or the Spanish TV series “Isabel.”
This title and many others, such as “El libro de las horas de Juana I de Castilla”, are already sold out. The firm only releases limited editions of 987 copies of each work. Once sold, they do not re-edit them. This decision adds to their special collector’s character.
The prices of these manuscripts and codices can reach €20,000 per copy. However, it is important to note that the prices vary depending on the specific work and the level of investment required for its production.
Historians and specialists in each field always produce a research book to accompany the sale of the work. This book enables buyers to understand the book’s character and its historical perspective. It is worth noting that many of the titles are in Latin and are illegible to the people who purchase them.
Manuscripts Showcased: “Atlas Miller” and “El libro de la Felicidad”
Among the denominated “illuminated” manuscripts brought to Abu Dhabi, where illustrations predominate, is the “Atlas Miller”. It is a set of maps depicting the discoveries made by Portugal in 1519. Notably, it showed the Australian coasts for the first time.
There is also “El libro de la Felicidad”. It was a commission from Sultan Murad III, who was appointed king of the Ottoman Empire in 1574. The book currently belongs to the National Library of France.
The process of cloning these “treasures” can take from two to six years. It requires “very restricted access” to the institutions with which Moleiro “works in close complicity”. The process is conducted under “controlled atmospheric conditions” and sometimes “with police supervision”, as explained by Urbiola.
The Spanish publishing house is currently present for the first time in the Arabian Gulf. They do not discard the idea of coming to the UAE soon. They are considering expanding their presence in the region.