THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE

DUKE OF EDINBURGH INJURED IN CARRIAGE ACCIDENT

THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH HAS RECENTLY INJURED HIS ANKLE AFTER CRASHING HIS HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE INTO A TREE STUMP. THE 88 YEAR OLD ROYAL ESCAPED WITH ONLY A 'MINOR INJURY' TO HIS ANKLE FOLLOWING THE COLLISION ON THE WINDSOR ESTATE ON FRIDAY MORNING, BUCKINGHAM PALACE SAID. THE DUKE WAS OUT CARRIAGE DRIVING IN THE 5,000 ACRE GREAT PARK WITH A FEMALE GROOM WHEN THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED. A SPOKESMAN SAID THAT HE LOST CONTROL AS THE PONIES STARTED TO 'RUN AWAY' IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE IMPACT. THE CARRIAGE DID NOT OVERTURN. ALTHOUGH THE DUKE DID HURT HIS ANKLE, HE WAS SAID TO BE IN GOOD SPIRITS, AND THE INJURY HAS NOT FORCED HIM TO CANCEL ANY ENGAGEMENTS. THE PONIES PULLING THE CARRIAGE WERE UNHURT BUT THE GROOM SUFFERED AN INJURY TO HER ELBOW AND WAS TAKEN TO HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT. A SPOKESMAN SAID: 'THE DUKE HAS A MINOR INJURY TO HIS ANKLE AND DID NOT NEED HOSPITAL TREATMENT. HE HAS BEEN OUT AND ABOUT AS NORMAL THIS AFTERNOON. THE FEMALE GROOM WHO WAS WITH THE DUKE HAS BEEN TO HOSPITAL FOR DIAGNOSIS FOR AN INJURY TO HER ELBOW. THE PONIES PULING THE CARRIAGE WERE RECOVERED UNHARMED.' THE MISHAP IS THE LATEST IN A STRING OF INJURIES THE DUKE HAS SUSTAINED THROUGH CARRIAGE DRIVING AND RIDING HORSES OVER THE YEARS. EARLY LAST YEAR, THE DUKE WAS FORCED TO CANCEL A DAY'S PHEASANT SHOOTING AND SEVERAL ROYAL ENGAGEMENTS AFTER PULLING A MUSCLE IN HIS BACK WHILE DRIVING A HORSE AND CARRIAGE. IN 2004, THE DUKE WROTE A BOOK, '30 YEARS ON AND OFF THE BOX SEAT', WHICH REVEALED HIS PASSION FOR CARRIAGE DRIVING, AND HIS INTENTION TO CONTINUE AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. 'I AM GETTING OLD', HE WROTE. 'MY REACTIONS ARE GETTING SLOWER AND MY MEMORY IS UNRELIABLE. BUT, I HAVE NOT LOST THE SHEER PLEASURE OF DRIVING A TEAM THROUGH THE BRITISH COUNTRYSIDE. I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE TO HAVE HAD A LONGER INNINGS THAN MOST, I HAVE NO INTENTION OF GIVING UP WHILE I HAVE A TEAM OF WILLING PONIES AND DEDICATED GROOMS.'

ISRAEL MUSEUM COMPLETES RESTORATION ON 15th CENTURY HEBREW MANUSCRIPT

EXPERTS AT ISRAEL'S NATIONAL MUSEUM HAVE COMPLETED THE RESTORATION OF A 15th CENTURY HEBREW MANUSCRIPT WITH EXQUISITE ILLUSTRATIONS MADE BY MASTER ITALIAN ARTISANS, OFFICIALS SAD THURSDAY. THE RENAISSANCE MASTERPIECE IS A COPY OF THE MISHNEH TORAH, AN IMPORTANT WORK OF JEWISH LAW WRITTEN THREE CENTURIES EARLIER BY THE MEDIEVAL PHILOSOPHER AND RABBI MAIMONIDES. THE MANUSCRIPT, WRITTEN ON ANIMAL SKIN, DISCUSSES LAWS GOVERNING PROPERTY, RITUAL PURITY AND AGRICULTURE. IT INCLUDES HEBREW WORDS IN GOLD LEAF AND MINIATURE FIGURES IN COLOURFUL DRESS AGAINST BRILLIANT SKIES OF BLUE SHADE MADE FROM LAPIS LAZULI STONES. IT TOOK A YEAR FOR A TEAM AT THE ISRAEL MUSEUM IN JERUSALEM TO REPAIR THE MANUSCRIPT AND PREPARE IT FOR DISPLAY, CURATOR ANNA NIZZA SAID. THE MUSEUM HAS HALF OF THE ORIGINAL BOOK, WHICH WAS DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTS IN THE 19th CENTURY. THE OTHER HALF IS OWNED BY THE VATICAN LIBRARY. THE MANUSCRIPT DISPLAYED TO REPORTERS AT A RECENT PRESS CONFERENCE WAS CREATED IN ITALY JUST AS THE ERA OF GREAT ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPTS WAS DRAWING TO A CLOSE AND THE ART OF BOOKMAKING IN EUROPE WAS BEING PERMANENTLY ALTERED BY THE ADVENT OF THE PRINTING PRESS. A US COUPLE BOUGHT THE WORK FROM A FAMILY IN FRANKFURT, GERMANY, FOR AN UNDISCLOSED AMOUNT IN 2007 AND HAS LENT IT TO THE MUSEUM. IT IS SLATED TO GO ON DISPLAY IN JULY.

ARCHAEOLOGISTS UNEARTH 383 EGYPTIAN/GREEK COINS

ARCHAEOLOGISTS HAVE UNEARTHED 383 BRONZE COINS DATING BACK TO KING PTOLEMY III WHO RULED EGYPT IN THE 3rd CENTURY BC AND WAS AS ANCESTOR OF THE FAMED CLEOPATRA, THE EGYPTIAN ANTIQUITIES AUTHORITY ANNOUNCED THURSDAY. THE STATEMENT SAID ONE SIDE OF THE COINS WERE INSCRIBED WITH HYBRID GREEK-EGYPTIAN GOD AMUN-ZEUS, WHILE THE OTHER SIDE SHOWED AN EAGLE AND THE WORDS PTOLEMY AND KING IN GREEK. FOUNDED BY ONE OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT'S GENERALS, THE PTOLEMAIC PERIOD DYNASTY RULED EGYPT FOR SOME 300 YEARS, FUSING GREEK AND ANCIENT EGYPT CULTURES. THE COINS WERE FOUND NORTH OF QARUN LAKE IN FAYOUM OASIS 50 MILES SOUTHWEST OF CAIRO. OTHER ARTIFACTS WERE UNEARTHED IN THE AREA INCLUDED THREE NECKLACES MADE OF OSTRICH EGG SHELL DATING BACK TO THE 4th MILLENNIUM BC AND A POT OF KHOL EYELINER FROM THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE. THE OBJECTS WILL ALL BE DISPLAYED IN THE NEW EGYPTIAN MUSEUM WHICH IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION NEAR THE PYRAMIDS OF GIZA.

NEW $100 BILL REVEALED

DUE TO BE RELEASED 10.FEBRUARY.2011 THE AMERICAN $100 BILL HAS HAD A STUNNING NEW MAKEOVER, TO DETER THE PROLIFERATION OF COUNTERFEITING, AND IS FULL OF NEW AND HIDDEN FEATURES. 'AS WITH PREVIOUS US CURRENCY REDESIGNS, THIS NOTE INCORPORATES THE BEST TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE TO ENSURE WE'RE STAYING AHEAD OF COUNTERFEITERS', SAID SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY TIM GEITHNER. 'WHAT'S ESPECIALLY NICE IS THAT WITH THIS NEW HUNDRED DOLLAR BILL, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE AN EXPERT TO SEE IF YOU'RE BEING FOOLED.' FOR EXAMPLE, THERE'S A NEW BLUE RIBBON EMBEDDED IN THE BILL. THAT'S A '3-D SECURITY RIBBON', WITH BELLS AND 100s THAT MOVE AND CHANGE BACK AND FORTH LIKE A HOLOGRAM. THERE'S ALSO A BELL IN THE INKWELL ON THE BILL FRONT WHICH CAN BARLEY BEE SEEN, IT CHANGES COLOUR FROM COPPER TO GREEN WHEN THE BILL IS TILTED FORWARD. AND THE FINAL TOUCH IS A DIFFICULT TO REPLICATE WATERMARK PORTRAIT OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. 'THE ADVANCED SECURITY FEATURES WE'VE INCLUDED IN THE NEW $100 NOTE WILL HINDER POTENTIAL COUNTERFEITERS FROM PRODUCING HIGH-QUALITY FAKES THAT CAN DECEIVE CONSUMERS AND MERCHANTS', SAID LARRY R FELIX, DIRECTOR OF THE TREASURY'S BUREAU OF ENGRAVING AND PRINTING. ADDITIONAL NEW FEATURES INCLUDE PHRASES FROM THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, A BIG QUILL AND A VIGNETTE OF THE REAR OF INDEPENDENCE HALL ON THE BACK.

DAVID LINELY'S UNION JACK ACCESSORIES COLLECTION

VISCOUNT DAVID LINLEY, THE LUXURY CABINETMAKER, AND NEPHEW OF QUEEN ELIZABETH, HAS RECENTLY UNVEILED A STUNNING NEW COLLECTION OF VERY BRITISH ACCESSORIES FEATURING AN INLAID UNION JACK DESIGN. CONSISTING OF A HUMIDOR, JEWELRY BOX, TEA CADDY, CUFFLINK BOX, AND LARGE AND SMALL PICTURE FRAMES, THE EXQUISITE PIECES ARE FINISHED IN WALNUT WITH THE FLAG ARTFULLY RENDERED IN A MARQUETRY OF BURR OAK, BURR WALNUT AND RIPPLE SYCAMORE REPRESENTING THE COLOURS. THE CHOICE OF DESIGN IS AN APPROPRIATE ONE; LIKE LINLEY HIMSELF, THE UNION JACK REPRESENTS A ROYAL LINEAGE; THE FLAG ORIGINATED IN 1606 AFTER KING JAMES I WAS CROWNED, UNITING THE KINGDOMS OF ENGLAND, IRELAND, WALES AND SCOTLAND. THE HUMIDOR, PRICED AT $2,000, IS LINED WITH SPANISH CEDAR WOOD TO HELP MAINTAIN A STABLE HUMIDITY AND SUPPORTS THE CIGARS' AGING PROCESS. IT ALSO HAS A BUILT-IN HUMIDIFIER AND HYDROMETER. THE JEWELRY BOX, PRICED AT $1,800, IS LOCKABLE AND LINED IN RED FAUX SUEDE WITH A COMPARTMENTALIZED, REMOVABLE TRAY. THE TEA CADDY, PRICED AT $1,000, IS AVAILABLE IN A LIMITED EDITION OF 25 PIECES, AND COMES COMPLETE WITH A SUPPLY OF FORTNUM & MASON ROYAL BLEND LOOSE LEAF TEA. THE CUFFLINK BOX, PRICED AT $650, IS LINED IN BEIGE FAUX SUEDE AND THE PICTURE FRAMES COME IN A LARGE AND SMALL SIZE FOR $440 AND $400.

ART BOOK COLLECTION DONATED TO BROOKLYN MUSEUM

AN IMPORTANT COLLECTION OF APPROXIMATELY ELEVEN THOUSAND ART BOOKS ASSEMBLED BY THEA WESTREICH AND HER HUSBAND, ETHAN WAGNER, IS BEING GIVEN TO THE BROOKLYN MUSEUM'S LIBRARY. COLLECTED OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL DECADES, THE GIFT INCLUDES KEY WORKS IN THE HISTORY OF ART, WITH EMPHASIS ON MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY MATERIAL. THE COLLECTION IS BEING DONATED IN PHASES. MANY OF THE BOOKS HAVE ALREADY BEEN RECEIVED AND LISTED IN BROOKMUSE, THE ONLINE CATALOG OF THE BROOKLYN MUSEUM LIBRARIES AND ARCHIVES. WESTREICH AND WAGNER ARE THE PRINCIPALS IN THEA WESTREICH ART ADVISORY SERVICES, A CONSULTING FIRM SPECIALIZING IN IMPRESSIONISTS, MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY ART. THEY ARE ALSO PUBLISHERS OF BOOKS BY ARTISTS SUCH AS RICHARD PRINCE, MIKE KELLY, CHRISTOPHER WOOL, LARRY CLARK, MARTIN KIPPENBERGER AND OTHERS. WESTREICH SAID IN A RECENT INTERVIEW: 'I STARTED COLLECTING BOOKS WHEN I WAS TWENTY YEARS OLD, AND IT HAS BEEN A PASSION EVER SINCE. I AM SURE WE WILL STILL BE BUYING BOOKS WHEN, YEARS FROM NOW, OUR LIBRARY SHELVES HAVE BEEN EMPTIED AND OUR BOOKS ARE OTHERWISE ALL AT THE BROOKLYN MUSEUM.' THE BROOKLYN MUSEUM LIBRARIES AND ARCHIVES IS A NON-CIRCULATING COLLECTION SERVING THE MUSEUM STAFF AND VISITING PUBLIC THAT CONTAINS MORE THAN 30,000 VOLUMES. THE RESEARCH HOLDINGS REFLECT THE MUSEUM'S ENCYCLOPEDIA COLLECTIONS. SPECIAL AREAS OF INTEREST INCLUDE ARTISTS' BOOKS, DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHS, FASHION AND COSTUME SKETCHES, AND RARE BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS.