Biblia Sacra  [The Gutenberg 42 Line Bible]

Johann Gutenberg

Pageant Books, New Jersey, 1961

[Beautiful Facsimile of Gutenberg's Iconic Bible] 2 volume set. Large heavy folios; 48 x 35 cm. Near fine. Bound in publisher's cloth, in burgundy slip cases. Hardcover. Very good bindings and cover. Clean, unmarked pages. Books are as new, minor shelf wear to slip cases at edge. Contents: I. [Genesis-Psalms]; II. [Proverbs-Revelation] 

"This is the first Gutenberg facsimile ever printed in the United States and only the second in the world. The reproduction derives from the Ansel Verlag edition which was based on the copy in the Koniglichen Bibliothek in Berlin and the copy in the Standischen Landes- bibliothek in Fulda, considered by authorities to be the most beautifully illuminated of the 47 copies known to exist." Colophon.  The text pages have been printed by lithography and the illuminated pages by sheet-fed gravure. The edition has been hand bound in two volumes and is limited to 1000 numbered sets.  Originally printed at Mainz, 1454 or 1455, in black and red. Rubricated in red. Initials and running titles in red and blue (most of the initials floriated or decorated with faces, animals, etc.) Many large initials illuminated in gold (one also in silver) and decorated in many colors (mostly with floral designs, but also with miniatures, birds, etc.), the decoration often filling one or more whole margins of the page. 

This is an oversized or heavy book, which requires additional postage for international delivery outside the US.