Gutenberg and the History of the Printed Bible

Saturday, December 2

The Museum of Printing is presenting a unique exhibition and 2 lectures on Gutenberg and the history of the printed Bible Saturday, December 2. Over 10 rare Bibles and replicas of Gutenberg Bible pages will be exhibited, as well as other materials. Three 1-hour presentations will be given at 10 am, Noon and 2 pm.

Gutenberg chose the Bible as the first product of his marvelous invention of movable type in 1455. Martin Luther was the first to translate the Bible into the vernacular, in his case, German.

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. But under King James, a major effort created the translation known to most of the world, and a virtual war broke out over who would print it.

You will also learn:

  • Why it took Gutenberg three attempts to get the font right.
  • Why Gutenberg lost everything just as his Bible was being produced.
  • Why no two Gutenberg Bibles are the same.
  • How an unknown monk used print to challenge the most powerful force on earth.
  • Who invented the forerunner of Twitter and Blogging.

This very special presentation by Professor Emeritus Frank Romano will trace the fascinating history of the Bible. He has personally seen most of the 48 Gutenberg Bible sets that remain on this planet.

This event is free for clergy, military, children and Museum members, $10 for non-members. You may join at the door or right now at http://museumofprinting.org/join-us.

An Atheist Printed a Beautiful Bible

In 1763, Cambridge University printer (and atheist) John Baskerville produced a beautiful Bible known as “The Baskerville Bible.” It is a fine piece of work, not merely because of its contents, but due to the beauty of its fonts.

Baskerville wanted to produce a Bible which people could read with clarity and not like those old Gothic type prints found in most English Bibles.

The Museum of Printing has just acquired and is proud to display an original Baskerville Birmingham Bible on Saturday, December 2, from 10 am to 4 pm.

Baskerville Bible

The Baskerville Bible is part of an unusual exhibit on “Gutenberg and the History of the Printed Bible” that includes over 10 rare Bibles and replicas of Gutenberg Bible pages as well as related materials. A 1-hour lecture will be presented by Professor Frank Romano at 10 am and repeated at Noon and 2 pm Saturday.

If you would like to have this lecture, or other lectures on printing, presented to your group or organization contact the Museum of Printing at .

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