The Psalms of David [Hardcover]

James S. Freemantle (Author), Stephen Freemantle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1982

The Psalms of David

James S. Freemantle
Foreword by Stephen Freemantle

Back in print, The Psalms of David is a unique, beautifully illustrated edition of the revered religious work, also known as the Book of Psalms.

The lifework of a little known genius, this facsimile edition of a magnificent hand-painted illumination of the Psalms of David is a stunning tribute to love and spiritual devotion.

Born in India, James Freemantle traveled through the Middle East during his years in the British Army. Shortly after his second marriage, he began this hand-lettered, illustrated volume for his beloved bride, Clara. For the next thirty years, he periodically worked to transfer the psalms into a book that would physically match the lyrical beauty of the poetry.

Throughout the book one finds the brilliantly colored blooms of India: the jacaranda, the flame-of-the-forest, huge yellow laburnums, brilliant poinsettias, and highly scented mimosa. The pages are alive with kingfishers and larks, drummers and hoppie butterflies, storks and pheasants. There are pictures of the lake near Freemantle's home, the nearby Brahmin temple, and the view from the train as he went up to school in the hills. Scenes from his travels in the army, Middle Eastern harbors and villages, and copies of illustrations from Victorian travel books reveal his draftsman's training in the accuracy of every detail.

A labor of love, a work of art, a volume to treasure, this illuminated edition of the King James version of the Psalms of David is the perfect gift for all seasons.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Of the scores of gift editions of the Book of Psalms, one of the strangest and most beautiful is The Psalms of David, with illuminations by James S. Freemantle. An Englishman born in India in 1859, Freemantle traveled widely in the Middle East during his years in the British Army before marrying a woman named Clara in 1906. Around the time they were married, Freemantle began work on this painstakingly rendered book as a gift for her. Nearly every page is filled with illustrations of magnificent Indian and Middle Eastern flora and fauna (including poinsettias, mimosas, canna lilies, kingfishers, storks, and pheasants) and of Brahmin temples and Christian and Jewish holy sites--even a gigantic iceberg. Almost 30 years after he began, Freemantle finished the book. In the foreword to this new edition (first published in 1982), Freemantle's son Stephen writes that his father was "not a religious man." Regardless of the precise nature of Freemantle's beliefs, his exuberant illuminations testify to his great love of his wife, of the world, and of the Psalms. --Michael Joseph Gross

About the Author

James S. Freemantle died in 1934, the year he finished The Psalms of David. It was many years later that his son, Stephen, decided to have it published.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow; 1 edition (October 1, 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688013120
• ISBN-13: 978-0688013127
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #136,874 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book, December 2, 2002

By 

Evonne Landwehr (Duluth, Georgia United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Psalms of David (Hardcover)

The artwork was really the main reason I purchased this book. I think the story of Mr. Freemantle lovingly creating this gorgeous work of art for his wife is wonderfully sweet. I already have access to the Psalms through my Bible, but I have to say I enjoy the words even more when they are set in such a lovely format! The reason I am one star short of five is that I think the publisher could have squeezed out a bit more money for higher quality printing to really do this artwork justice. I was a bit disappointed by the small size of this book and the simplicity of the hardbound design. I have this book out in the family room and would love it even more in a more generous size with embossed leather cover and glossy pages that can open flat to really emphasize the delicate drawings of Mr. Freemantle. For the price, this is a nice book. I think it would make a nice gift when a sweet something is in order.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Most Amazing Example of the Bible That I've Seen, November 18, 2003

By 

Waycross48 "waycross48" (Jacksonville, Fl United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Psalms of David (Hardcover)

The story behind this beautifully illustrated book is what first attracted me to it. I thought "how amazing that this man spent thirty years of his life on a work of art for his beloved wife". I ordered one for myself and one for my best friend without ever seeing the illustrations which fill this volume - The Psalms of David.
Not only is James Freemantle a talented artist with his drawings and painting, the lettering in the book offers a wide range of examples from Spencerian Script to other popular styles of the era. You can visualize the "ups and downs" in the artist's life by examining his work throughout the book. The first half is lavishly illustrated; leading up to a portion, while still lovely, is less filled with his unusual artwork. Then, as his passion for the work returns, so does the flourish of art and lettering.
This book is an inspiration to read and makes a marvelous gift for a loved one. It's one of the most amazing books I've ever seen. I only wish I knew more about the author.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An extraordinarily beautiful modern illuminated manuscript, July 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Psalms of David (Hardcover)

This is one of the rarest of finds, a genuinely unique book. James Freemantle spent 30 years of his life producing a handwritten, hand-illustrated copy of the book of Psalms from the King James Bible. The multicolored lettering in varying styles is in itself a gorgeous work of art. The illustrations, found in the margins, between lines, and elsewhere, are exquisite. Sometimes they illustrate a psalm verse, sometimes they seem to be present simply for the sake of their own beauty. There are birds, butterflies, flowers, trees, houses, and more, from the Middle East, Europe, and India (where Freemantle lived most of his life; he died in the 1930s). Though obviously inspired by medieval illuminated manuscripts, Freemantle (who had no academic training in art) worked in a modern style. It's worth the price simply to hold in your hands and consider the human dedication that produced this manuscript.