ON VIEW: The Gutenberg Bible

See the 500-year-old book that shaped history! In Mainz, Germany, in the mid-1450s, Johann Gutenberg and his partner Johann Fust published more than 150 large-format copies of the Bible in Latin. This is the book known today as the Gutenberg Bible. Gutenberg may have begun developing a new printing technology as early as the 1430s, and completion of the Bible demonstrated the viability of a press that used individual pieces of metal type to mass-produce books. Although books would continue to be written by hand in the years— and centuries—that followed, the printing process pioneered by his team became increasingly prevalent, helping change how information traveled in Europe and, later, the world.

The Harry Ransom Center's copy represents one of only 20 complete copies in the world that survive intact. Printed on paper, the two volumes remain in early bindings and feature text and decoration added by hand. In the first volume, books of the Bible begin with two types of distinctive, colorful letters. The second volume features more traditional red and blue initials. The Gutenberg Bible is always on view.

Thursday, September 28 at 10:00am to 5:00pm

More dates through December 30, 2023

Harry Ransom Center (HRC)
300 21ST ST W, Austin, Texas 78705

Event Type

Arts & Humanities

Departments

All Departments

Target Audience

Students, Staff, Faculty, Alumni, Families, General Public

Website

https://www.hrc.utexas.edu/

Cost

FREE

On View

YES

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