Gutenberg Bible (fascimile)

This two volume facsimile of the Gutenberg Bible was created in 1962. The volumes are printed in Latin; contain hand-worked illustrations, and gilding. As stated in an article from the International Society of Bible Collectors, “Each volume of the Bible contains over 1200 pages. The paper for this facsimile was specially manufactured of 100% rag and each of the four watermarks (the head of an ox, the bunch of grapes with a loop in the stem, the bunch of grapes with an enlarged stem, and the running ox) are all reproduced as in the original.” The article further states “The binding is of crushed-grain Bordeaux-colored Morocco leather cut in a single piece for each volume. The gilding is done in genuine 22 carat gold and old gold style on top, fore-edge, and bottom. The endpapers were made by hand in the old fashioned manner.”

Mid-Continent Public Library received the two volume set as a donation from the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum. These volumes were on display at Mid-Continent Public Library’s administrative headquarters building for a number of years. The volumes were moved to the Midwest Genealogy Center’s rare book room upon the opening of that branch in 2008.