UPDATE 4/22/11 - As mentioned in an earlier update, the beautiful 2-color first edition (1881 A.D.)  will be reproduced instead of the black and white last edition, 1901 A.D. I have spent the last year or so doing a considerable amount of discernment and research on several aspects of this project. After much consideration, I have decided to do all of the scanning myself. Quality control and attention to detail are important in this step. You can pay for that but it is expensive. Editing was never an issue. I knew that I would have to do it myself but I did not know how. In a short amount of time I have been able to get a firm grip on this process. I have learned that there is a science to the scanning and image editing process. I have tried my best to learn this science both through personal research and the help of professionals. I have also been researching into the history of the publishing company of Desclee under the name of The Society of St. John the Evangelist which originated in Tournai, Belgium. It has led me on an email chase from the Abbey of Maredsous to the Historical Society of Tournai. I have learned a lot and the research is not finished. I plan on sharing this fascinating story at the time of printing.This information is now shared, on this page).  I have begun the scanning/editing process and provided some sample images below.  I have uploaded examples of the raw scans and the edited image which is close to what the end product will look like. Click on the links below to open a pdf file of each.  I am still perfecting the editing process, so please consider these samples as a work-in-progress. I am very reluctant to set any dates or deadlines as to when copies of the work will be available.  My schedule is very fluid and unpredictable. I will use all available time for this project and I'll try to post updates when prudence allows them.                      

 

UPDATE 1/3/2014 - A major milestone has been reached in the Vulgate Project. Each and every page of the entire tome (all 979 of them) has been scanned at high resolution and are waiting to be edited and digitally enhanced for reprinting. I spent over 60 hours standing at my scanner waiting patiently for each cycle of the scan head to complete its journey from one end of the scanning device to another. I'm glad it's done and I can move on to the next tedious step. Adobe Photoshop will be my new friend, where each individual page scan will be opened and edited with the utmost care. The goal is to create sharp, vivid page images that are ready for the modern printing press yet still preserve the original historical nuances of a 133 year old Bible. Another goal is to make this reprint accessible to all who desires it by making the price reasonable. I could easily charge hundreds for such a book but I vow that I will not. It is not about and will never be about profit. It is about the preservation of beautiful work of art and making it available to those who appreciate beauty and aesthetics. It is about the Holy Bible in the timeless sacred Latin language. My motivation for the completion of this project has never lessened. It increases as I reach my goal. But one thing that I cannot control is the time available to work on this project. I appreciate all those who have emailed me over the years and have remained so patient with my slow progress. I hope that this year is a productive one! Stay tuned for more details.​​

 

UPDATE 01/06/18 - The original churchlatin.com website was shut down. This project was on hold.​​​​​

 

UPDATE 03/11/20 - New website launched! Stay tuned......​​

 

UPDATE 04/22/21 - Editing of the original scans has been put on hold.  We are exploring new scanning and processing methods to make the editing process more streamlined.  More updates to come.​​

 

UPDATE 06/16/21 - I have assembled a special webpage- devoted to laying out all I have learned about these Vulgate editions over the past many years. Please have a look- THE VULGATE- PAR EXCELLENCE​​​​

 

UPDATE 12/01/21 - The black and white edition has been released is now available.​​

 

UPDATE 07/01/24 - I've been working with a gentleman who has written specialized software that edits the scans- namely: background removal, despeckling, enhancement of the red and black colors, and cropping. The early trials have produced stunning results. The automated process of the software does the bulk of the work, but then each scan must still be inspected, de-skewed, cleaned, and repaired where necessary. More details to come...​​