Highlights of the Exhibition
The Elizabeth Perkins Prothro Bible Collection
at
Bridwell Library
September 8 - December 12, 2009

The First Book Printed with
Moveable Type

Biblia latina. Single vellum leaf. [Mainz: Johann Gutenberg, 1454-55].

In 1454-55 the Latin Bibles printed by Johannes Gutenberg (c. 1400–1468) and his associates at Mainz offered readers a form of textual stability that was entirely revolutionary: for the first time, hundreds of readers in monasteries and universities across Europe were able to work with virtually identical, complete, carefully edited copies of the Paris Vulgate. Even if it did contain a few inaccuracies, the first Western book multiplied on a printing press was the touchstone of the textual uniformity and editorial integrity that underlies the very concept of what is now considered an “edition.” Moreover, although Gutenberg was no scholar, his edition established a standard version that prevailed for decades: as late as 1592 the Roman Catholic compilers of the official “Clementine” revision preserved several of its variant readings not otherwise attested by the earlier Paris manuscripts. The text shown is portions of Genesis 47-48.

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