16 January 2012; 15:03

HHCE adopts Hours by the Master of Catherine of Cleves

Every year, instead of sending Christmas cards, HHCE donates the money that would have been spent to a good cause. Previous charities to benefit included Stichting Heifer and the Democratic Voice of Burma. This year, HHCE has chosen to support Museum Meermanno | Huis van het boek. The museum was facing closure, but with its special campaign Boek zoekt vrouw, man en bedrijf (The book wants a wife, husband or company) it has managed to secure additional donations. This campaign gives companies and private individuals the opportunity to adopt a book and support the museum.

HHCE thinks Boek zoekt vrouw, man en bedrijf is a great initiative and has therefore decided to adopt the Hours created by the Master of Catherine of Cleves, a medieval prayer book for laymen, also known as the Utrecht Book of Hours. This book was largely produced by an anonymous master, mainly known for his work commissioned by HHCE's fellow townswoman, Catherine of Cleves (1417 - 1467). The manuscript, probably produced around 1460, was written in Dutch and has all the features a book of hours should have. Illustrations, or miniatures, are displayed on the pages opposite the texts, and their quality is exceptional. The book of hours, probably produced around 1460, was written in Dutch and has all the features a book of hours should have. Illustrations, or miniatures, are displayed on the pages opposite the texts, and their quality is exceptional. The Master of Catherine of Cleves is also well-known for the prayer book that Catherine of Cleves was given by her father when she married Arnold of Egmond, the Duke of Guelders, at the age of 13. The Morgan Library in New York currently possesses this prayer book, which was on display in Nijmegen in 2010 as part of an exhibition in Museum Het Valkhof.

Museum Meermanno | Huis van het boek is the world's oldest book museum, with a large collection of medieval manuscripts and early prints, put together by Baron W. H. J. van Westreenen van Tiellandt (1783 - 1848). The Baron not only collected books, but also ancient artefacts, family portraits and travel souvenirs, all of which are on display in the museum. Over the years, books dating from 1850 to the present day have been added to the collection, with a strong emphasis still being on shape and design.

Like many other cultural institutions, Museum Meermanno | Huis van het boek is facing massive cuts in subsidies and is having to generate more alternative income to avoid closure. This is what prompted the museum to launch the Boek zoekt vrouw, man en bedrijf campaign. HHCE decided to support this initiative since, on the one hand, we find it extremely important that special books be conserved and displayed to the public, and on the other hand, as a translation company, we feel strong ties with a museum that focuses on the written word.

HHCE hopes that Museum Meermanno | Huis van het boek will benefit from the company's modest contribution, and that the museum will remain open for many years to come. For more information about Museum Meermanno | Huis van het boek and the Boek zoekt vrouw, man of bedrijf initiative, please visit http://www.meermanno.nl.