Printing and Modern Bibles — Printing and Publishing

The Gutenberg Bible

c. AD 1454-1455
A Visit With Jesus

Johannes Gutenberg printed the Latin Vulgate with movable metal type, demonstrating that large, handsome Bibles could be produced in multiple nearly identical copies.

Full Account

The Gutenberg Bible joined the appearance of a fine manuscript with a revolutionary means of production. Type reproduced the main text, while rubrication and decoration could still be completed by hand. About 180 copies were probably printed on paper or vellum. Printing did not immediately make every Bible inexpensive, but it broke the limits imposed by copying an entire volume by hand.

Historical Significance

The Gutenberg Bible stands near the beginning of European mass printing and opened the way for greatly expanded publication of Scripture.

People, Places and Sources