Gutenberg's Bible - The 42 Lined Bible (Codex Berlin)

Gutenberg's Bible - The 42 Lined Bible (Codex Berlin) – Idion Verlag – Inc. 1511 – Staatsbibliothek Preussischer Kulturbesitz (Berlin, Germany)

Mainz (Germany) β€” Around 1453

A milestone in the history of mankind: probably the most splendid edition of Gutenberg's famous Bible, richly adorned with colorful, fantastical decorated borders and gold-glowing decorated initials

  1. A milestone in the history of the book, which Johannes Gutenberg (ca. 1400–1468) printed in his Mainz workshop

  2. MΓΆglichkeiten

  3. This specimen contains 100 beautiful miniatures from the so-called Peacock Workshop

Gutenberg's Bible - The 42 Lined Bible (Codex Berlin)

Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€€
(3,000€ - 7,000€)
  1. Description
  2. Detail Picture
  3. Single Page
  4. Facsimile Editions (3)
Description
Gutenberg's Bible - The 42 Lined Bible (Codex Berlin)

A milestone in the history of book art: one of the most valuable early prints of the Bible printed by Johannes Gutenberg in his workshop in Mainz. The inventor of modern letterpress printing produced a short print-run of bibles as a testimony to this new and groundbreaking technology. Even at the time of their creation, the Bibles were very expensive and could only be acquired by extremely wealthy collectors. Once purchased, the valuable prints could then be individually decorated by artists according to their own wishes, which in turn yielded some precious unique specimens. The Berlin State Library owns one of these extremely rare copies of the Gutenberg Bible, which is one of the most valuable books in the collection and one of the most creatively successful prints of the 15th century. Colourful, imaginative marginal illuminations and gilded decorative initials, together with the beautifully coloured miniatures, adorn this extraordinary work. The miniatures, as well as the other book decoration, are based on great models of book illumination and are attributed to the so-called Pfauenwerkstatt, a Leipzig book-painting workshop.

Gutenberg's Bible - The 42 Lined Bible

A milestone in the history of book art: one of the most valuable early printings of the Bible, which Johannes Gutenberg printed in his Mainz workshop. The inventor of book printing produced a short print-run of bibles as a testimony to this new and groundbreaking technology. These valuable prints could be individually decorated by artists according to the wishes of their respective buyers, which in turn yielded some precious unique specimens. One of these precious and exceedingly rare specimens of the Gutenberg Bible is stored in the Berlin State Library and counts among the most precious books of the collection!

A True Rarity in Outstanding Quality

β€œOne of the earliest testimonies of the art of printing,” β€œone of the most artistically accomplished prints of the 15th century,” and other superlatives are only a few of the catchphrases that are associated with this book. Johannes Gutenberg is considered to be the inventor of modern book printing with moveable metal type and the printing press. In 1435, as the first evidence of his invention, he produced a short print-run of only 45 vellum and 135 paper editions of the Bible in his Mainz workshop. The 42-lined bible in Berlin is considered to be the most beautiful specimen of these Gutenberg bibles.

Printed and Illuminated

The printed Gutenberg Bible was already very expensive at the time of its creations was a collector’s piece for only the wealthiest buyers. These printed books could subsequently be put into the hands of artist, who then furnished them according to individual wishes. In this way, some wonderfully unique specimens furnished with bright colors and splendid gold came into being. Lovingly-produced illustrations, both entertaining and suitable, adorn these bibles.

A Gem of the Berlin Collection

The Berlin specimen of the Gutenberg Bible contains roughly 100 gorgeously colored miniatures. These are attributed to the so-called Pfauenwerkstatt or β€œpeacock workshop”, an illuminator’s studio that was active in Leipzig during the mid–15th century. Additionally, one finds initials, flowering tendrils, embellishing ornamentation, and small animals – e.g. a splendid peacock, a cheeky sparrow, and buzzing dragonflies. The book and its decoration are oriented on the great models of illumination! This precious early print of the historic masterpiece of Johannes Gutenberg combines two special features in this way: the outstanding significance as an incunabula from the early period of book printing between 1450 and 1500, and the reminder of its marriage with illumination. It is no wonder that the Gutenberg Bible is considered to be one of the most important pieces of the Berlin collection!

Codicology

Alternative Titles
Gutenberg Bible
Gutenberg's 42-line Bible B42
42-zeilige Gutenberg-Bibel
Gutenberg B-42
Gutenberg Bibel
Size / Format
2 volumes - 1,282 pages / 43.5 Γ— 31.0 cm
Origin
Germany
Date
Around 1453
Language
Illustrations
Ca 100 colored miniatures
Content
Old and New Testament
Artist / School

Available facsimile editions:
Gutenberg's Bible - The 42 Lined Bible (Codex Berlin) – Idion Verlag – Inc. 1511 – Staatsbibliothek Preussischer Kulturbesitz (Berlin, Germany)
Idion Verlag – Munich, 1977–1979
Limited Edition: 895 copies

Gutenberg's Bible - The 42 Lined Bible (Codex Berlin) – Pageant Books – Inc. 1511 – Staatsbibliothek Preussischer Kulturbesitz (Berlin, Germany)
Pageant Books – New York, 1961
Limited Edition: 1000 copies

Gutenberg's Bible - The 42 Lined Bible (Codex Berlin) – Pattloch Verlag – Inc. 1511 – Staatsbibliothek Preussischer Kulturbesitz (Berlin, Germany)
Pattloch Verlag – Augsburg, 1991
Limited Edition: unlimited
Detail Picture

Gutenberg's Bible - The 42 Lined Bible (Codex Berlin)

β€œP” Initial: St. Jerome and Bishop Paulinus

This splendid historiated initial with acanthus leaves and glimmering gold background shows St. Jerome presenting his famous Epistle 53 to Bishop Paulinus of Nola, which served as the preface to the Gutenberg Bible. Medieval Bibles often contained prologues, either preceding the Bible as a whole or an individual book, which were usually authored by St. Jerome. Their purpose was to both guide the reader and also explain the choices made by Jerome, who preferred Hebrew sources over Greek ones.

Gutenberg's Bible - The 42 Lined Bible (Codex Berlin) – Idion Verlag – Inc. 1511 – Staatsbibliothek Preussischer Kulturbesitz (Berlin, Germany)
Single Page

Gutenberg's Bible - The 42 Lined Bible (Codex Berlin)

Scenes from Creation

The Book of Genesis opens with this masterful page from the Pfauenwerkstatt or β€œpeacock workshop”, which is alluded to by the splendid peacock resting on the tip of a tendril in the lower right corner. He is accompanied by birds, insects, and flowers, including some that look like product of the artists’ creativity, all presented with radiant colors and glimmering gold leaf.

The left margin consists of six medallion miniatures depicting Creation, beginning with the formless void at the top and concluding with Eve emerging from Adam’s side as he sleeps. They are set in a simple green frame surrounding a blue field with an image of God giving the sign of benediction. This is a wonderful example of the custom adornment that was added to Gutenberg’s creation.

Gutenberg's Bible - The 42 Lined Bible (Codex Berlin) – Idion Verlag – Inc. 1511 – Staatsbibliothek Preussischer Kulturbesitz (Berlin, Germany)
Facsimile Editions

#1 Gutenberg-Bibel - 42zeilige Bibel

Idion Verlag – Munich, 1977–1979

Publisher: Idion Verlag – Munich, 1977–1979
Limited Edition: 895 copies
Binding: True-to-original binding of the Fulda Gutenberg Bible: Handmade calf leather binding with blind embossing, brass fittings and rossette and two clasps
Commentary: 1 volume (200 pages) by Wieland Schmidt, Friedrich Adolf KΓΌnsemΓΌller, Severin Corsten, Ilona Hubay, Eberhard KΓΆnig, Otto Mazal, P. Robert Weber and Ekkehard Vesper
Language: German
2 volumes: Exact reproduction of the original document (extent, color and size) Ca 500 handmade stamps, printed on Van Gelder Laid Paper
Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€€
(3,000€ - 7,000€)

#2 Biblia Sacra

Pageant Books – New York, 1961
Gutenberg's Bible - The 42 Lined Bible (Codex Berlin) – Pageant Books – Inc. 1511 – Staatsbibliothek Preussischer Kulturbesitz (Berlin, Germany)
Gutenberg's Bible - The 42 Lined Bible (Codex Berlin) – Pageant Books – Inc. 1511 – Staatsbibliothek Preussischer Kulturbesitz (Berlin, Germany) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles

Publisher: Pageant Books – New York, 1961
Limited Edition: 1000 copies
Binding: Brown leather with blind embossings
Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€
(1,000€ - 3,000€)

#3 Gutenberg's Bible - The 42 Lined Bible (Fulda Cover)

Pattloch Verlag – Augsburg, 1991

Publisher: Pattloch Verlag – Augsburg, 1991
Limited Edition: unlimited
Binding: Leather binding with two clasps and eight corner fittings, facsimile of the so-called Fulda binding in the possession of the Hessische Kandesbibliothek, Fulda.
Commentary: 1 volume by Michael Neumann, Vinzenz Hamp, Meinrad Stenzel, and Josef KΓΌrzinger
Language: German
1 volume Only 48 pages of the original have been reproduced Reproduction of the original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding.
Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€
(1,000€ - 3,000€)
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