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February 23 — In History

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  • February 23 — In History

    First book in the West to be printed by moveable type


    Gutenberg Bible of the New York Public Library. Bought by James Lenox in 1847, it was the first copy to be acquired by a United States citizen.

    The Gutenberg Bible is produced using Johannes Gutenberg's invention, the moveable type printing press. 49 copies of the original pressing will survive to the 21st century, and be sought after as immensely valuable collectibles.

    The Gutenberg Bible was among the earliest major books printed using mass produced movable metal type in Europe. It marked the start of the "Gutenberg Revolution" and the age of printed books in the West.

    The book is valued and revered for its high aesthetic and artistic qualities as well as its historic significance. It is an edition of the Latin Vulgate printed in the 1450's by Johannes Gutenberg in Mainz, in present day Germany.

    49 copies have survived. They are thought to be among the world's most valuable books, although no complete copy has been sold since 1978. In March 1455, the future Pope Pius II wrote that he had seen pages from the Gutenberg Bible displayed in Frankfurt to promote the edition. It is not known how many copies were printed; the 1455 letter cites sources for both 158 and 180 copies.

    The 36 line Bible, said to be the second printed Bible, is also referred to sometimes as a Gutenberg Bible, but may be the work of another printer.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gutenberg_Bible
    The Hackmaster
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