Overview
This lecture covers the history, production, and significance of the Gutenberg Bible, the first major book printed with movable metal type in Europe.
Introduction and Historical Context
- The Gutenberg Bible, or 42-line Bible, was the first large-scale book printed in Europe using mass-produced metal movable type.
- Printed by Johannes Gutenberg in Mainz, Holy Roman Empire, in the 1450s, it marked the beginning of the printing revolution in the West.
- Approximately 158-180 copies were initially produced; 49 survive today, with only 21 complete.
Production Techniques and Features
- The Bible was based on the Latin Vulgate, with influences from the Parisian Bible tradition.
- Gutenberg used oil-based ink (a varnish), which adhered better to metal type than water-based manuscript ink.
- Each unique character (letter, punctuation, ligature) required its own master type; 290 such characters were used.
- Text was printed in blackletter styles (Textura and Schwabacher) with justified vertical columns.
- Paper size was 'Royal', and each Bible required 322 sheets for a full copy.
- The Bible was produced in two volumes, sometimes more for vellum copies, and sections ("quinternions") were bound together after printing.
Changes During Production
- Initially, pages had 40 lines; this was later increased to 42 lines by reducing the space between lines, saving paper.
- Some copies have mixed line counts in early sections due to these changes.
- The print run was increased, requiring re-setting previously printed pages to match the new format.
Decoration, Illumination, and Binding
- Early plans to print headings ("rubrics") were abandoned; most rubrication and illumination were added by hand after printing.
- Hand decorations varied based on buyer preference and price; more ornate copies were generally on vellum.
- Many Bibles have been rebound; nine retain original 15th-century bindings, mostly from Mainz or Erfurt.
Distribution, Ownership, and Value
- The Bibles sold quickly and widely, including to England, Sweden, and Hungary; few were privately owned at the time.
- Early prices were around 30 florins (about three years’ wages for a clerk), affordable mainly to institutions or the wealthy.
- Today, most surviving copies are in university or major libraries; only one is outside Europe and North America.
- The last complete Bible sold in 1978 for $2.4 million; modern estimates value a copy at $25–35 million.
Influence and Legacy
- The Gutenberg Bible established technical and typographic standards for future printed Bibles and books.
- It influenced editions such as the 36-line Bible, Mentelin’s Latin Bible, and later Vulgates.
- Fragments are found worldwide, sometimes used as bookbinding waste.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Movable type — Reusable, individual letters and characters for printing.
- Vulgate — The Latin translation of the Bible completed by St. Jerome.
- Blackletter — A Gothic script style used in early printing.
- Rubrication — Addition of headings or text in red ink, often by hand.
- Illumination — Decorative hand painting in manuscripts or books.
- Quinternion — A physical section of a book, typically five folded sheets.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review technical terms and Bible production methods.
- Research modern locations of surviving Gutenberg Bibles for further study.