Adam Savage's Leonardo Da Vinci Notebooks Collection!

When Adam builds or acquires a prop replica, he's not just looking for the accuracy of its construction, but also an authenticity of the experience of holding and examining the objects. Some of his most prized replicas are faithful reproductions of Leonardo da Vinci's notebooks, created by Italian paper sculptor Stefano Tartaglione. Adam unboxes the newest of these replica codices to arrive at the cave, and marvels at their construction and detail!

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Intro bumper by Abe Dieckman

Thanks for watching!

[sagevoyage]

I don't think I've ever seen Adam so quiet and reverent of an item. You can tell how much it means to him. Compare this to even the grail journal. In that he's excited and acts like his regular self but in this he's almost speechless.

[Fuogger]

Please never stop making these Tested videos, they are fascinating and I learn something new every time. Much love

[ravensma]

The gleeful stomping to retrieve something off camera, and the cute "Ah HA HA HAAA" when displaying the old book scents, REALLY makes me happy.

[NeedleHair]

One of my favorite things in the world is seeing Adam sprint off camera to go grab a thing he wants to show us with extreme excitement. *Chefs kiss*

[cameronpfiffner]

I was watching this and my son, 16, asked me if you were a collector. I said yes, but that you are a maker as well. You are a fan of and participant in what we call civilization, the vast collective edifice of human culture, which is ever growing and building and striving and making. Thanks for sharing your part of the journey.

[chrispycryptic]

Your coy attempt to covertly readjust the sharpie position is both satisfying, and comforting.

[daveo]

Adam, I think it's awesome when you get excited/giddy about your treasures, as well as when you talk your way through a challenge to yourself during a build. Thank you for your content!

[felis]

What I love about this presentation is how well Adam's hands match this codex in the close-ups. Well worn craftsman's hands with a permanent grime around the fingernails moving over a well worn, old paper pages with care and reverence... :)

[Celtic_Blade]

I have been obsessed with notebooks and paper my entire life. Love this video!

[houdinjeff]

I realize that a lot of what this craftsman does might be considered trade secrets, but is there a snowball’s chance in hell you guys could set up a visit to his work shop to see some of how he achieves such precision? I’d watch a five part series of that.

[Cheryl_Turtlemoon_Creates]

How lovely to see someone who truly is in awe of something so magnificent. The joy in his delight is obvious!

[victorldunn]

The sentences that just fade into ecstasy... Literally priceless! Thank you for sharing the extended moment.

[jeffshort]

Leonardo da Vinci, Universal Genius. I understand and appreciate your reverence for such a sublime replica of the work of such an amazing person.

[paulharries]

I love the look, feel & smell of old books, these replicas look amazing. I've got a few genuine antique books myself, some from the 1820s and one from 1720 - all picked up in local charity shops (thrift shops) for just a few pounds. They're such evocative objects to hold & look through. These replicas look like something special, and it's wonderful to see Adam's enthusiastic reaction.

[larsickenroth]

Love it! When I was a kid, my parents took me to London's Natural History Museum. I was already filling sketchbook after sketchbook back then (artist and painter now).
The history museum had just printed this tome of works by the artists that joined the early explorers. Just imagine: all these amazing drawings of rhino's, lions and other animals that are entirely based on their quick impressions when observing one combined with their imagination running wild (similar to what artist Walton Ford does these days). These finds are so amazing and inspiring.

[harbl]

The codex has never been bettered as a design form in more 1500 years. Spine, protective covers, instantly accessible pages: genius!

Umberto Eco's essay _Faith in Fakes_ talks about how an accurate copy of something, or even a sincere pastiche, can evoke the same emotions and intellectual connections as an original artefact. He covers everything from mid-American roadside attractions to relics and Ikons. Good read.

[LunteBooks]

Thank you Adam for sharing this beautiful replica and thank you Stefano Tartaglione for making it! We appreciate your love for old books!

[peterpferdeort]

Im not even holding the codice but literally I was on the verge of tears as you flipped through the pages. There’s just a reverence DaVinci’s work demands and that’s always profoundly touched the soul- and being able to see his notes and writings and his mental process is just amazing.

[annwagner]

Adam, thank you so much. I am a curator of drawings - seeing this gave me real joy. I will thank you by referring you to a book that you will love, if you don't already have it. It describes techniques you will be able to use for making or enhancing your beloved paper props. The Restoration of Engravings, Drawings, Books and Other Works on Paper by Max Schweidler, translated, edited, and with an appendix by Roy Perkinson. Roy Perkinson was (before he retired to devote himself to grandchildren, art, and travel) a great paper conservator who ran the lab at the Museum of Fine Ars, Boston. Schweidler was the greatest of an earlier era, who did not always confine himself to what we would currently call ethical conservation. Schweidler tells, essentially, how to fake old master prints so they are almost impossible to tell from the real thing. To this good day, museum curators and conservators of old master prints have to watch like hawks to make sure they are not fooled by prints that have been "Schweiderlized." This book is mostly to help the curators and conservators tell Schweiderlized prints from real old masters. But of course, it could go the other way . . . Use your new powers for good, Adam, not evil!

[Brokenlance]

Adams pure passion for everything is such a relief as I'm working through a challenging chapter in my life. It inspires me to keep pushing and to stay passionate. Thanks Adam.