Gutenberg, Gutenberg, Gutenberg

Amazingly, the Morgan Library owns 3 copies of the Gutenberg Bible, two on paper and one on vellum, and they all are unique in some respect. Beginning tomorrow all 3 will be displayed together for the first time in 10 years.

The Gutenberg bible was the first substantial book printed in the Western world using movable type. It is believed that Gutenberg and his successors printed between 120 and 135 copies of the Bible on paper and between 40 and 45 copies on vellum. Only 50 survive and some are pretty beat up.

The exhibit runs through September 28th.

Morgan Library Press Release (pdf)

Two complete digitized versions at the British Library

Image of the Huntington Library’s Gutenberg on vellum
by Ken Leonard, 2007