March 22: Gutenberg Bible
On March 22, 1457 the Gutenberg Bible became the first printed book. The Gutenberg Bible is also referred to as the 42-line Bible. The printing of the Gutenberg Bible started the “Gutenberg Revolution” and the age of the printed book. There were about 160 to 200 copies of the original bible, but there are only 48 surviving copies with some that are not finished.
Gutenberg originally printed 40 lines per page, but he later used 42 lines to save paper. Therefore, on pages 1 to 9 and 256 and 265 have 40 lines each as they were the first pages printed. Page 10 has 41 lines, and every other page as 42 lines. Most of the books are in paper, but a few books are in vellum which is calf skin.
Most of the surviving copies of the Gutenberg Bible are in prestigious universities libraries, and some religious institutions and libraries. The first Gutenberg Bible was brought to the United States in 1847, and it is now in the New York Public Library. The cost for a complete copy of the Bible is estimated at $25-30 million, while some pages sell for up to $100,000. There are currently 11 copies in the United States.
–Daniel Furlong
Photo Caption: Detail from the Gutenberg Bible.
Meet the Author
Daniel Furlong is a student at Schoolcraft College.
The Guttenbrg Bible was not the “first prtd book,” but the first book printed with moveable (and reusable) type. There were many books printed prior to the Guttenberg Bible, but they were all printed from handcarved PAGES.