Michael and Linda Falter
The Falters have been members of Circle Square since the beginning, and as regular contributors, many of you may know them from our coffee mornings, lectures and connections. For Michael and Linda, one chapter of their life story started for them on a Sunday afternoon in the late 1970s in the King’s Library at the British Museum where their idea to reproduce one of the great manuscript treasures on display was born.
Al Hanissim ‘for the miracles and the redemption’.
Michael is third generation of a family that had worked in the printing industry since the late 1800s, (his father gave him a printing press at the age of 12) and Linda worked for the United Nations in Geneva and Tehran before they launched their own company, Facsimile Editions, in 1980, renowned for making facsimiles of the most beautiful, rare and difficult-to-reproduce works.
Their very first facsimile, The Kennicott (Hebrew) Bible took five years to create and was one of the largest and most complex facsimiles ever published. In the ensuing years they have continued to push boundaries in terms of detail, materials, authenticity and intricacy, such that leading museums, libraries and private collectors commission work from them.
Hosha’not poetical prayers recited during Sukkot, (Tabernacles) ‘Please save us!’
Single leaves from many of their facsimile works make beautiful, easy-to-transport, treasured gifts and can be selected here https://facsimile-editions.com/leaves/ from just £40.
The Falters took part in our quick-fire Q&A:
- What words best describe you both?
Passionate and uncompromising attention to detail. - If you could offer your younger self one piece of advice, what would that be?
(Michael) Never give up, if you’re going through hell keep going!
(Linda) Never say “no” (with a few obvious exceptions) - What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?
Our family - Which person (dead or alive) would you most like to invite to dinner?
(Michael) – my father
(Linda) – my sister - How has age strengthened your advantage?
Primarily experience, but with age also comes deterioration so the main ‘lesson’ is to keep going and use it so you don’t lose it! - What inspired you to join Circle Square?
The opportunity to meet other like-minded, adventurous, inspiring and exciting achievers!