Gutenberg Bible at the Library of Congress
In the 1440s, Johannes Gutenberg, a German inventor, developed the world’s first true printing press. His invention revolutionized the production of printed materials, greatly contributing to the availability of less expensive books and subsequent increase in literacy. One of Gutenberg’s first major printing projects, and arguably his famous, was the production of the first printed edition of the Bible. This first run of this book, now known as the Gutenberg Bible, is his greatest legacy other than the printing press itself. Of the 170 or so original copies printed, less than fifty survive today, and many of these are incomplete. Eleven copies have since made their way to the United States.
Library of Congress
Washington, DC
Web: www.loc.gov
The Library of Congress is the largest public library institution in the world, with one of the largest collections of rare and valuable books anywhere. Not surprisingly, it was one of the first places in America to boast a Gutenberg Bible. The copy here is one of only five in the world that is both complete and written on Vellum, making it one of the most valuable of all editions. Because it is publically displayed in America’s most visited library, the LOC Gutenberg Bible is the most viewed complete edition in the United States.
New York Public Library
New York, New York
Web: www.nypl.org
The New York Public Library is the third largest public library in the world and the second largest in the United States after the Library of Congress. It was the first major institution outside of Europe to acquire a Gutenberg Bible. The copy on display here arrived in the United States in the mid-19th century. It is one of the more common paper editions and, unfortunately, not a complete copy. Because of this, while it is probably the most viewed copy anywhere in the world, it is not the most viewed complete edition, an honor which goes to the Library of Congress copy.
The Morgan Library & Museum
New York, New York
Web: www.themorgan.org
The Morgan Library and Museum in New York City began as the private collection of J.P. Morgan and was made into a public institution by his son in 1924. It is one of only a handful of library collections in the world that boast more than one copy of the Gutenberg Bible, though only one is complete. These priceless books were personally acquired by members of the Morgan family. Of the three copies kept here, the one on display is a complete copy on paper. The other two are an incomplete copy on paper and an incomplete copy on vellum.
Henry E. Huntington Library
San Marino, California
Web: www.huntington.org
The Henry E. Huntington Library outside of Los Angeles, California is the only institution on the West Coast of the United States to own a Gutenberg Bible, and its copy is one of the best. It was part of the collection of Henry Huntington, a railroad tycoon who was pivotal in the development of turn-of-the-century California. The gallery is located on the grounds of the former family estate. The Huntington copy of the Gutenberg Bible is a complete edition on vellum, one of only five in the world and the only one in the United States outside of the Library of Congress.
Widener Library, Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Web: http://hcl.harvard.edu/libraries/widener
The Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library of Harvard University is home to the bulk of the Harvard University Library, the world’s largest library on a college campus. It is home to an enormous collection of rare and priceless books, including a Gutenberg Bible. It is one of three Ivy League rivals, including Yale and Princeton, to boast a Gutenberg. The Harvard copy is a complete edition on paper.
Was a Gutenberg Bible sold by the Melk Abby in Austria to Harvard university to pay for reconstruction of the Melk Abby?
Where did the Huntington Library copy come from?
I truly have no idea. That said, Melk Abbey is indeed spectacular.
My grandfather gave my parents a bible that is said to be one of the 1st bibles to be printed on the Guttenberg press. We do not have the cover but the bible is intack. Where is it possible to take this bible to get it checked out for authenticity? We brought the bible from Germany to the United States when my family was moved back stateside. We have never had it looked at because my dad was not willing to let it out of his possession. My mothers family came by it after the war but then lost the cover when my grandfather let some friend take it to be checked out.
Take it to an antique book dealer if you are in or near a major city. Hope its valuable!
It would be more courteous to thank EMCR first then add your point about keeping info updated.
Noted.
Dear sir or madam
Hello, my name is An Jeongmin living in South Korea.
Recently, I visited your website and was quiet surprised to see wrong information.
I have a great interest in the metalloid type considered one of the greatest inventions in human history for its capability of mass delivery of information. I think that the metalloid type made many historical successes in world history and, in the 21st century, even global knowledge network with Internet system as well. With such interest in the metalloid type, while I researched many major textbooks, websites and encyclopedia, I happened to find inaccurate historical record of the metalloid type from your website. Therefore, I take this chance to let you know of it and to ask to correct.
You have introduced “In the 1440s, Johannes Gutenberg, a German inventor, developed the world’s first true printing press.” at your website, The Complete Pilgrim
This is not accurate information, so it should be changed.
The first metalloid type is ‘Baegun Hwasang Chorok Buljo Jikji Simche Yojeol,’ abbreviated to ‘Jikji’ of Korea, not The Gutenberg Bible.
Jikji is the oldest book among existing books made by metalloid type. It had been made in 1377, 78 years earlier than “the Bible in 48 lines” made by Gutenberg of German which has been known as the first book made by metalloid type in about 1455, and it is stored by the National Library of France. For your reference, I’d like to tell you that UNESCO confirmed “Jikji” as the world oldest metalloid type in September , 2001 and officially recognized and certified “Jikji” as the Memory of the World.
It’ll be my appreciation if you correct this, and introduce the true and accurate historical truth to the people in the world. I expect your positive response. Thank you for reading.
Although I don’t have time to update the article, I will absolutely post your comment as it is important to get information like this out. Thanks for your comment!
Where in Prague are Gutenberg bibles kept?
As far as I know there are no copies of the Gutenberg, in whole or in part, kept in Prague. The closest one is probably the one kept at the State Library in Berlin, Germany.
What are the sources?
For the Gutenberg article? Honestly don’t remember. Has there been a change? That article is a few years old.
This is not up to date. The NYPL has taken theirs off of public display until further notice.
There’s over a thousand articles on here. I don’t have time to keep them all updated, but I will make changes when they are pointed out. Thanks for the tip about the Gutenberg at the NYPL.