Baptist Press
By María Teresa Hernández, posted July 1, 2024 in Culture
NEW YORK (AP) — It’s not just a book.
Back in the 1450s, when the Bible became the first major work printed in Europe with moveable metal type, Johannes Gutenberg was a man with a plan.
The German inventor decided to make the most of his new technology — the movable-type printing press — by producing an unprecedented version of the Scripture for wealthy customers who could interpret Latin: leaders of the Catholic Church.
Though he planned on printing 150 Bibles, increasing demand motivated him to produce 30 extra copies, which led to a total of 180. Currently known as the “Gutenberg Bibles”, around 48 complete copies are preserved.
None is known to be kept in private hands. Among those in the United States, a paper Bible can be seen at the Morgan Library & Museum, in New York City. Two more copies in vellum lie in the underground vaults, next to 120,000 other books. More Here