1 18

Book Vatican A Private Visit to a Secret World: Impossible Collection

Book Vatican A Private Visit to a Secret World: Impossible Collection

Assouline

1,400€
1,400€
Sale Sold out
Taxes included. Shipping calculated at checkout.
Low stock: 5 remaining

Book Vatican A Private Visit to a Secret World: Impossible collection by Assouline

Description

More than just an enclave in the city of Rome, the Vatican is a complex city-state that, for many people, still evokes notions of secrecy. The Vatican has always exercised a power of fascination and seduction over us, with its nearly twenty centuries long history, its spirituality, its scandals and its enigmas. As a fantasy world, it has inspired cinematic visions ranging from Federico Fellini's Roma to Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather: Part III and Paolo Sorrentino's The New Pope. But what is the real Vatican?


With nearly three hundred popes and antipopes, not counting a fictional popess, among these figures there are a few saints and many sinners. To borrow an ancient image, the Vatican is like Noah's Ark, containing animals of all kinds, pure and impure. From the early developments of the Roman Catholic Church under Emperor Constantine, to the notorious popes who nonetheless cultivated the artistic flourishing of the Renaissance, to modern pontiffs who must navigate media and issues of social and political sensitivity, the Vatican weathered historical upheavals and religious schisms, gaining unprecedented prestige and carving out a place on the diplomatic scene.


Illustrated with archival images and dramatic photographs, this hand-crafted Ultimate Collection volume features insightful texts from renowned Vatican history journalist Caroline Pigozzi and historian Giovanni Maria Vian, former editor-in-chief of the newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, revealing hidden stories that unfolded in these labyrinthine corridors.

Exclusive white gloves and canvas tote bag are included with every purchase of an Ultimate Collection book.

Details

  • 242 pages
  • 200 illustrations
  • In English language
  • Released in December 2022
  • L 39.8 x W 47.5 x D 8 cm
  • Handcrafted volume in a velvet case with tip-on metal plate
  • ISBN: 9781649800404
  • 9.7kg

About the Author

Caroline Pigozzi, a former student of the New York University School of Journalism, is a Franco-Italian writer, journalist and senior reporter for Paris Match and vaticologist. Winner of the Mumm Foundation Prize for the written press and recipient of a vermeil medal from the French Academy, she is the author of bestsellers including Le Pape enprivate (Nil), Jacques et Bernadette enprive (Robert Laffont), The Indiscreet Vatican (Plon), The Secret Photos of the Vatican with Giovanni Maria Vian (Gründ, Plon), The Unusual Photos of the Presidents of the Fifth Republic and The Unusual Photos of Charles de Gaulle with Philippe Goulliaud (Gründ-Plon) , François in pocket (Cherche Midi) and Why Them (Plon), translated into several languages.

Giovanni Maria Vian is full professor of patristic philology at La Sapienza University of Rome. A member of the Pontifical Committee for Historical Sciences, Vian also served as editor-in-chief of the Holy See newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, 2007-2018. As a respected scholar, historian, and journalist, Vian has written numerous articles and essays on Christian history and the contemporary papacy for numerous publications, and he has edited texts by Joseph Ratzinger (Benedict XVI) and Pope Francis . His recent books include Pablo VI, un cristiano del siglo XX (Biblioteca de Autores Cristianos, 2020), Andare per la Roma dei papi (Il Mulino, 2020) and I libri di Dio: Breve storia dei testi cristiani (Carocci, 2020), translated into French (Salvator, 2022), and Il papa senza corona: Vita e morte di Giovanni Paolo I (Carocci, 2022), translated into Spanish (Biblioteca de Autores Cristianos, 2022).

Craftsmanship

Assouline's ultimate collection is a tribute to the art of luxury bookmaking. Hand-bound using traditional techniques, with hand-stamped color plates on artist-quality paper, each page of this limited edition series bears the unique imprint of the artisan. Covering a range of subjects from jewelry and fashion, to fine art and “impossible collections,” the ultimate collection curates culture from around the world and across the ages. Nestled in linen clamshell boxes, these books attract collectors, lovers of the printed page, and those who devour the culture of our time. Signifying a new level of sophistication for true connoisseurs, these unique books are works of art in their own right.

Vatican A Private Visit to a Secret World

More information

For more information and details on this product you can contact us very easily by one of the following means:

  • On our online chat at the bottom right of each page of our site
  • Whatsapp: +33 6 20462910
  • JGS Decoration Eshop direct line: +33 1 86956768
  • Standard JGS Decoration: +33 1 42259595
  • Via the contact form

Or by visiting us at the Paris Showroom at:
JGS Decoration - Paris
159 Rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré
75008 Paris - France
Monday to Friday from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM.
Sunday only by appointment.
Book an Appointment Online

Shipping time

Shipping costs and delivery times

  • France and Monaco: €9.99, free from €199 – 3 to 10 business days
  • Europe *: €29, free from €599 – 5 to 15 business days
  • United States and Canada: €79 – Tracked delivery
  • French overseas territories and rest of the world: Free pick-up or delivery on quotation – Depends on the chosen solution
  • Books – France and Monaco: €19.99, free above €800 – 48 to 72 h after shipping
  • Books – Europe *: €29.99, free above €800 – 48 to 72 h after shipping

* Europe: all European Union countries, plus Andorra, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Iceland, the Isle of Man, Jersey, Liechtenstein, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Vatican City.
Books to other destinations: same terms as other items.

Free pick-up at our showroom

159 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris – Monday to Friday, 10:30 am to 6:30 pm, Sunday by appointment.

  • Item in stock at the showroom: order ready within 24 hours, after our confirmation.
  • Otherwise: as soon as we let you know your order has arrived.
  • Please bring your confirmation e-mail or your order number.

Delivery within Paris

Paris and nearby suburbs (up to 10 km from the showroom): €39, by courier or by our team. We confirm the date as soon as we receive your order.

Delivery on quotation

For French overseas territories and countries without an online rate, choose “Delivery on quotation” (“Livraison sur devis”) at checkout: delivery to the freight forwarder of your choice in France or Europe, or a full study for delivery to your door. We contact you with options and costs before anything is shipped: nothing leaves without your approval.

Preparation times

  • Item available: shipped within 1 to 2 business days, plus the carrier's delivery time.
  • Item out of stock or made to order: we tell you the lead time before confirming your order.
  • Item in stock with our partner, usual times (for guidance only):
    • Books: shipped within 1 to 2 business days, Chronopost delivery in 24/48 h
    • Boat models: shipped within 1 to 2 business days, UPS delivery in 48/72 h
    • Christian Lacroix: shipped within 1 to 2 business days, UPS delivery in 5 to 6 business days
    • Fabrics and wallpapers: shipped within 1 to 2 business days, UPS delivery in 5 to 6 business days
    • Lighting: shipped within 5 business days, GLS or DHL delivery in 5 business days
    • Ralph Lauren accessories: shipped within 10 business days, Chronopost delivery in 24/48 h

Customs

Outside the European Union (United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, United States, Canada…), any customs duties and import taxes are not collected when you order: they may be requested on delivery and are payable by the recipient.

Packaging, tracking and delivery

  • Every order is carefully packed, with extra protection for fragile pieces. Palletised lighting is delivered by appointment.
  • As soon as your order ships, you receive your tracking number by e-mail.
  • On delivery, check the parcel in front of the driver. If it is damaged, write precise reservations on the delivery note, or refuse it if the damage is unacceptable, then let us know as soon as possible, with photos.

Our carriers

  • Chronopost (accessories, books)
  • Colissimo (accessories)
  • DHL (lighting)
  • FedEx
  • GLS (lighting)
  • Kuehne + Nagel (palletised lighting)
  • UPS (fabrics and wallpapers)

A question before ordering?

We are happy to check stock or lead times for you:

Payment in installments

Pay for your order in instalments ✨

For private clients:
With our partner ALMA, enjoy simple and secure instalment payments, in 2, 3, 4 or 10 instalments.
👉 Available from €50 up to €3,000.

For businesses:
With our partner FINE ASSET Management, benefit from tailor-made leasing dedicated to businesses, to finance your decoration projects, enhance your spaces and reduce your taxes.
👉 Available from €1,000 up to €100,000.

All the details here!

Caution! Borrowing money costs money.
Subject to approval by Alma SAS (almapay.com), payment institution authorised by the ACPR (CIB: 17408). RCS Nanterre 839100575. Contact: support@almapay.com.

View full details