It is an edition of the latin vulgate printed in the 1450s by johannes gutenberg in mainz, in presentday germany. The gutenberg bible had a profound effect on the history of the printed book. Recuyell of the historyes of troye was the first book printed in the english language. His introduction of mechanical movable type printing to europe started the printing revolution and is regarded as a. Gutenberg s cultural status as the forebear of modern book production led time. The ies termlong celebration for gutenberg year 2018 alan may r and martin andrews l at the gutenberg press. One of the rarest, and undoubtedly, distinguished books of history, the gutenberg bible was among one of the first printed books of history, the very first in the west. While the general research division has a long standing tradition of collecting supporting material in the book arts that traces the evolution of the book and its production, the division also concerns itself with the material that. Pierpont morgan and great bookdealers bernard quaritch, h.
The printed book its history, illustration and adornment, from the days of gutenberg to the present time author. A godseye view the rise, fall, and redemption of the father of the information age. The third eggestein bible was set from the copy of the. History of books project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. The lost gutenberg traces one bibles 500year journey. Johannes gutenberg, german craftsman and inventor who originated a method of printing from movable type. Written in latin, the catholic gutenberg bible is an edition of the vulgate, printed by johannes gutenberg, in mainz, presentday germany, in the 1450s. The printing press was not gutenbergs only invention. Fortyeight copies, or substantial portions of copies survived and they are considered to be among the most valuable books in the world, even though no complete copy has been sold since 1978.
Between 1450 and 1455, the gutenberg bible was completed. Textually, it also had an influence on future editions of the bible. Initially gutenberg printed only single sheets of paper, leaflets containing poems, games, and short stories, but once he managed to convince investors to fund his invention, he printed the first edition of the first printed book in history in 1455. Gutenbergs first major print work was the 42line bible in latin, printed probably between 1452 and 1454 in the german city of mainz. There is a separate section on the history of prepress. An official birthday of june 24, 1400, was chosen at the time of the 500th anniversary gutenberg festival held in mainz in 1900, but the date is purely symbolic. The project gutenberg ebook, the history of insects, by unknown this ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. A group of mit students briefly put away their cell phones this spring to concentrate on a much older information storage and retrieval device. Gutenberg bible, the first complete book extant in the west and the earliest printed from movable type, so called after its printer, johannes gutenberg, who completed it about 1455 working at mainz, ger. Asked in books and literature what was the first full.
Though the gutenberg bible was certainly the first mass produced printed work, it was hardly the first printed book nor was it even the first made using movable type. Thanks to johannes gutenberg, todays highspeed commercial printing presses can produce up to 15,000 sheets an hour. Gutenbergs masterpiece, and the first book ever printed in europe from movable type, is the fortytwoline bible, completed no later than 1455. It marked the start of the gutenberg revolution and the age of printed books in the west. You may copy it, give it away or reuse it under the terms of the project gutenberg license included with this ebook or online at. The threevolume work, in latin text, was printed in 42line columns and, in its later stages. This ongoing project is being developed by professor johanna drucker, working with staff and students based at ucla to provide an online environment for research. The gutenberg bible was the first book in recorded history to be printed, but was written by the original writers of the individual books. The book is valued and revered for its high aesthetic and artistic qualities as well as its historic significance. The diamond sutra, a buddhist book from dunhuang, china from around 868 a. Printed books existed nearly 600 years before gutenbergs bible. In the 1440s, the german johann gutenberg began experimenting with novel, mysterious ways of approaching printing. In 1961 the canadian philosopher and scholar marshall mcluhan entitled his pioneering study in the fields of print culture, cultural studies, and media ecology, the gutenberg galaxy.
Johannes gutenberg printed the first book, the gutenberg bible, around 1455. History of paper gutenbergs revolution sigedon books and. But neither printing nor movable type was actually invented by johannes gutenberg, nor did he print the first book. This led to a revolution in the spread of information that opened up the world to the quick and efficient dissemination of knowledge and ideas.
In 1452, johannes gutenberg a german blacksmith craftsman, goldsmith, printer, and inventorprinted copies of the bible on the gutenberg press, an innovative printing press machine that used movable type. Asked in inventions, bible statistics and history when. Early documentation states that a total of 200 copies were scheduled to be printed on rag cotton linen paper, and 30 copies on velum animal skin. Unique to his invention were a durable typemetal alloy, an oilbased ink that adhered well to metal type and transferred well to vellum or paper, and a press. The project gutenberg ebook, the history of insects, by unknown. The gutenberg press an invention that changed the world. The history of the book is a networked resource focused on the production and reception of materials related to the history of the book and literacy technologies, broadly conceived. The impact of printing, 14501800 in 1958 as well as marshall mcluhans gutenberg galaxy. Jun 22, 2019 gutenbergs masterpiece, and the first book ever printed in europe from movable type, is the fortytwoline bible, completed no later than 1455. The gutenberg bible was among the earliest major books printed using massproduced movable metal type in europe. Early documentation states that a total of 200 copies were scheduled to be printed on rag. What was the first book printed by gutenberg answers. In 1978, the harry ransom humanities research center of the university of texas at austin purchased a.
Gutenberg bible project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. The broad conception of what a history of the gutenberg bible should provide pulls into the story a surprisingly wide range of characters, both famous and obscure. The history of printing the evolution of print from. But the creation of the first book printed with movable type is one of them. This book, commonly called the gutenberg bible, ushered in europes socalled gutenberg revolution and paved the way for the commercial mass printing of books. Book printing had existed in china since the 11th century, but gutenberg was the first to produce serial.
Johann gutenberg invented the printing press in the 1450s, and the first book to ever be printed was a latin language bible, printed in mainz, germany. It provided the model for several later editions, including the 36 line bible, mentelins latin bible, and the first and third eggestein bibles. Apr 27, 2020 johannes gutenberg was born between 94 and 1404 in the german city of mainz. Johannes gutenberg was born between 94 and 1404 in the german city of mainz. World heritage encyclopedia, the aggregation of the largest online encyclopedias. Likely one of the most famous bibles in the world, this served as a forerunner to books printed via moveable type. Unique to his invention were a durable typemetal alloy, an oilbased ink that adhered well to metal type and transferred well to vellum or paper, and a press for applying firm even pressure to printing surfaces. It acts as a summary of a more elaborate description which starts here. Gutenberg printed 180 copies of martin luthers bible. For two centuries it was punishable by death to print the bible in any language other than latin, although the old testament existed in hebrew and greek.
Margaret leslie davis the lost gutenberg traces one bibles 500year journey the depth of margaret leslie davis research on the tomes history cannot be. Before gutenberg died, printingpresses like his were at work making books in all the great cities of the continent. In the mid 1400s, blockprinted books incorporating pictures became popular in europe, although they had originated in asia many centuries before gutenbergs time. In other words, prior to 1455, the date in which the. In the mid 1400s, block printed books incorporating pictures became popular in europe, although they had originated in asia many centuries before gutenberg s time. On february 23, 1455, europes first massproduced book the gutenberg bible was printed with movable type in mainz, germany. Printing, or the process of reproducing text and images, has a long history behind it. It isnt until 1455 that there is a mention of printing in europe. The chinese actually printed from movable type in 1040, but later discarding the method. In the 1450s the german inventor johannes gutenberg perfected the printing press, which is recognized as one of the most important advances in western nonasian history. Gutenberg chose the bible as the first product of his marvelous invention of movable type in 1455.
In 1952, the united states postal service issued a five hundredth anniversary stamp commemorating johannes gutenberg invention of the movabletype printing press. Johannes gutenberg is often credited as the inventor of the printing press in 1454. Prior to 1455, books were mainly in possessions of very wealthy and influential people. Johann gutenberg is commonly credited as the inventor of the printing press and the father of the modern printed book. Gutenbergs bible was issued in an edition of approximately 175 copies. The project gutenberg ebook of the printed book, its history. The page that is always printed at the gutenberg museum replicates the original style and font gothic textura of the 42line gutenberg bible, the first major book ever to be printed using. Among those appearing are not just great collectors lord spencer, henry huntington, j. So did many other europeans, all looking for a faster, cheaper way to produce books. Gutenberg and the history of the printed bible saturday, december 2. You can also click on the title of each century to get more indepth information. Jan 25, 2004 the project gutenberg ebook, the history of insects, by unknown this ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. He also notes that the earliest surviving book printed with moveable type that can be dated is from 77 in korea.
The gutenberg bible art quality full color hardcover collectors edition old and new testament 15th century illuminated manuscript latin bible by johannes gutenberg jan 1, 2018 5. Martin luther was the first to translate the bible into the vernacular, in his case, german. Johannes gutenberg didnt make any money off the bibles. Why did gutenberg choose the bible as the first book to be. With a view to dispelling myths and conjecture, white delves into primary sources to trace as much of the history of gutenberg and his bible as possible. Gutenbergs bibles were surprisingly beautiful, as each leaf gutenberg printed was later colorfully handilluminated. Created in china, the printing press revolutionized society there before being further developed in europe in the 15th century by johannes gutenberg and his invention of the gutenberg press.
With this method, even a small book could take months to complete, and a volume the size of the bible would have taken years. The museum of printing is presenting a unique exhibition and 2 lectures on gutenberg and the history of the printed bible saturday, december 2. There are several different variations of the gutenberg bible. Over 10 rare bibles and replicas of gutenberg bible pages will be exhibited, as well as other materials. Feb 01, 2016 written in latin, the catholic gutenberg bible is an edition of the vulgate, printed by johannes gutenberg, in mainz, presentday germany, in the 1450s. After gutenberg lost a lawsuit against his investor johann fust, fust put gutenbergs employee peter schoffer in charge of the print shop. The history of the book became an acknowledged academic discipline in the latter half of the 20th century. Only 48 of them survive today, including 12 on prepared animal skin known as vellum, such as the one seen here. Only 48 of them survive today, including 12 on prepared animal. May 25, 2016 a group of mit students briefly put away their cell phones this spring to concentrate on a much older information storage and retrieval device.
The new york public library has a world renowned collection of physical artifacts documenting the historical development of written forms of communication. A history of the gutenberg bible is the first book to tell the whole story of europes first printed edition, describing its creation at mainz circa 1455, its impact on fifteenthcentury life and religion, its fall into oblivion during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and its rediscovery and rise to worldwide fame. Some collectors say this first printed book is also the most beautiful ever printed, and they pay astounding sums for the forty or fifty copies that survive of the original two hundred. However, despite its initial impact, fame was fleeting. Gutenbergs cultural status as the forebear of modern book production led time. The gutenberg bible is widely recognized as europes first printed book, a book that forever changed the world. It was one of the most significant events that took place in human history.
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