The Gutenberg Bible

by Martin Davies

The Gutenberg Bible was the first major work to be printed in Europe from moveable type. Printed in Mainz in 1455 by Johann Gutenberg and associates, fewer than 50 copies of the original now survive, in public and private collections around the world. Many copies married the new technology with the old, and, as in this example by The British Library, included painted decoration to imitate the appearance of an illuminated manuscript. The result set standards for book printing which are still largely unsurpassed today. This book reproduces many illustrations from the Bible, and discusses how it was created and published, and its role in the early spread of printing in Europe.

Genres: History, Religion

Hardcover

First published September 1, 1996

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Erin Penn · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the opening page, Martin Davies writes "the undisputed facts concerning (Johann Gutenberg) could be easily set down on a single sheet of paper." then proceeds to expand the details out to sixty-four pages like a teenager with a high school paper due. The pages are small in this book published by The British Library and normally I love these little books published by libraries but this one is a bit dry, and Mr. Davies, as he indicated on the first page, had to stretch things out.

It is interesting how many court cases Gutenberg participated in.

And I think my favorite fact is just how many letter-forms were created for the Gutenberg Bible as they wanted it to have the look and feel of hand creation (details on pages 30-31).

Overall okay for a historical enthusiast who just wants a bit of trivia, not a deep dive into the first moveable type Bible and its creator.

[Peter · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know who Martin Davies is, but I'm pretty sure he didn't write the Bible and I don't think he printed this version.
I wouldn't be a bit surprised if Mr. Davies finds himself in court courtesy of the Gutenberg family and their attorneys.

[Jo Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful little book. A topic I'm familiar with but learnt new things of course and just a joy to look at

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brief but interesting history of the first printing of the Bible, some lovely illustrations here as well. Short but sweet.

[Emma Schweitzer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice illuminations and striking designs, monks were so productive and good at making beer way back when. I couldn't actually read it. Still cool though.