Today, Galdrabóks (Icelandic books of magic) are exceedingly rare. Many were destroyed after being condemned as heretical, while others were hidden by their owners and later rediscovered even within their tombs. The few that survived are now preserved in Scandinavian archives or private collections. In their time, these volumes were shrouded in legend: it was said they contained powerful magical symbols (Galdrastafir), spells, and dark runes.
The Legend of the Raudskinna
The most famous among them is the mythical Raudskinna (“Red Skin”). According to legend, it was written by the bishop Gottskálk Nikolásson, a man said to be as cruel as he was skilled in the magical arts. The tale claims that the bishop ordered himself to be buried with the book, causing it to vanish forever into the silence beneath the earth.
Galdrabok Raudskinna
The Galdrabok RAUDSKINNA is one of the few surviving examples and is renowned for its connection to black magic. Its main characteristics are:
Composition: A small parchment book consisting of 30 leaves (60 pages).
Origin: The earliest sections date back to 16th-century Iceland.
Evolution: In the 17th century, it reached Denmark, where a local sorcerer added new material.
Neither the authors nor the exact dates of these additions are known; it is likely that parts of the text were copied from other magical books now lost to time.
Galdrabok Galdrakver
Galdrabok GALDRAKVER is a small book of magic containing formulas and protective symbols typical of Icelandic folk magic. Unlike the previous volume, this book is not directly associated with black magic, but rather with protection against the malevolent influences of black magic itself.
Language: ancient Icelandic and Latin
SIZE: 15 x 11 cm
Cover: hardcover, brown leather
ENGLISH: IMPORTANT - DELIVERY TIMES
The books are all handmade: printed, trimmed, sewn, and positioned in the press for the first impression. The paper protrusions at the margins are hand trimmed and leveled. The head and foot are sewn with the "capitellum" and finally the cover is prepared. After this, if provided, the paper and cover are aged by hand with special colors. Once the book is finished, it is left to "rest" for at least half a day, packaged, and shipped. In short, it takes time...! :)
To obtain a well-made book, it takes time, sometimes several days of work, but you must take into account that when you place an order, there are several orders in the production queue before you, and this number is variable. That's why we always estimate a variable delivery period that can range from 4 up to a maximum of 8 weeks to make your order and ship it. But we can say that the 8 weeks are reached during peak demand periods, between November and December, sometimes between June and July.
We usually close for 20 days in August (in Italy the temperatures make life and work impossible!) and usually between December 20 and January 7.
That's why if you have special needs (birthday gifts, Christmas, etc.), please contact us before placing your order to get an estimate on delivery!
FRANÇAIS: IMPORTANT - DÉLAIS DE LIVRAISON
Les livres sont tous fabriqués à la main: imprimés, rognés, cousus, et positionnés dans la presse pour la première impression. Les protubérances de papier aux marges sont rognées à la main et nivelées. La tête et le pied sont cousus avec le "capitellum" et enfin la couverture est préparée. Après cela, si prévu, le papier et la couverture sont vieillis à la main avec des couleurs spéciales. Une fois le livre terminé, il est laissé à "reposer" pendant au moins une demi-journée, emballé et expédié. En bref, cela prend du temps...! :)
Pour obtenir un livre bien fait, cela prend du temps, parfois plusieurs jours de travail, mais vous devez prendre en compte que lorsque vous passez une commande, il y a plusieurs commandes dans la file d'attente de production avant vous, et ce nombre est variable. C'est pourquoi nous estimons toujours une période de livraison variable pouvant aller de 4 jusqu'à un maximum de 8 semaines pour remplir votre commande et l'expédier. Mais nous pouvons dire que les 8 semaines sont atteintes pendant les périodes de forte demande, entre novembre et décembre, parfois entre juin et juillet.
Nous fermons habituellement pendant 20 jours en août (en Italie, les températures rendent la vie et le travail impossibles!) et habituellement entre le 20 décembre et le 7 janvier.
C'est pourquoi si vous avez des besoins spéciaux (cadeaux d'anniversaire, de Noël, etc.), veuillez nous contacter avant de passer votre commande pour obtenir une estimation de la livraison !
