Prague, Aug 10 (CTK) – A unique book titled Sistine Chapel and initiated by the Vatican Museums has appeared on presale in the Czech Republic, Petra Vondrova, from the Euromedia Group publisher firm, said on Wednesday, adding that out of the limited world edition of 1999 pieces, 100 are designed for the Czech market.
The book costs 329,000 crowns. In presale, its price is 229,000 crowns. This makes it the most expensive book to ever appear for sale in the Czech Republic, Vondrova told CTK.
The Vatican plans to use a part of the proceeds for the planned reconstruction of the Sistine Chapel, she said.
The book consists of three volumes that offer a complete photo documentation of the Sistine Chapel wall paintings in their real size.
It can be only bought via the Internet on www.luxusniknihovna.cz.
Czech buyers can choose the number of their issue out of the numbers ranging from 701 to 800.
Each buyer can have their names added to a list of donors, which will be a part of the third volume.
The buyers will also be invited by the Vatican to a special tour of the Sistine Chapel beyond the opening hours.
The three-volume book weighs 30 kilogrammes and it includes an ownership certificate and a pair of protective gloves for handling the rare issue.
Euromedia Group representatives said they expect all the 100 “Czech” pieces to be sold within the presale. All hundred buyers are to obtain their books on December 1.
