Gutenberg bible page

A page from the Gutenberg Bible, the first major book printed in Europe using movable type, marks the dawn of the printing era.

About this subject

The Gutenberg Bible, also known as the 42-line Bible, was printed by Johannes Gutenberg in Mainz, Germany, around 1455. It is considered the first major book produced in the West using movable metal type, an invention that revolutionized the dissemination of knowledge. Each page features two columns of Latin text based on Saint Jerome's Vulgate. The printing used oil-based ink, an innovation that provided greater durability and clarity. Around 180 copies were produced, of which 135 were on paper and 45 on vellum. Today, 49 complete or partial copies survive, housed in libraries and museums worldwide, such as the U.S. Library of Congress and the National Library of France. The typical page includes hand-decorated initials, rubrics, and illuminations, as printers left spaces for illuminators to add embellishments after printing. The text is printed in Gothic script, mimicking the calligraphy of medieval manuscripts. The Gutenberg Bible not only made the Scriptures more accessible but also spurred the Protestant Reformation and the Renaissance by enabling fast and accurate text reproduction. A single leaf of the Gutenberg Bible can fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars at auction.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many copies of the Gutenberg Bible still exist?

Today, 49 complete or partial copies of the Gutenberg Bible survive. Of these, 12 are printed on vellum and 37 on paper, housed in museums, libraries, and private collections.

What distinguishes the Gutenberg Bible from earlier manuscripts?

The key difference is that the Gutenberg Bible was produced using movable metal type, enabling mass printing. This made it more accessible and standardized, whereas manuscripts were hand-copied, a slow and error-prone process.

What is the value of a page from the Gutenberg Bible?

Values vary widely, but single leaves in good condition can sell for tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Complete copies have been appraised at millions of dollars.