RadioProfile | On February 19, 1926, a copy of Gutenberg’s Bible was auctioned in New York.

Known as the 42-line Bible or Mazarin Bible, it was printed by its inventor, Johannes Gutenberg, in 1453 in the German city of Mainz. It is considered a masterpiece for its careful decoration. It is an extremely valuable historical piece and today has an incalculable value.

Gutenberg’s Bible was the first book printed in Europe using movable type, a technology that remained largely intact for 350 years. In Europe, the discovery of this technology triggered a whole series of social and cultural changes, including the Reformation.

The name “42-line Bible” refers to the number of lines printed on each page, and is used to differentiate it from the later 36-line edition. Preparation for this edition began after 1450, and the first copies were available by 1454. Around 180 copies are believed to have been produced, 45 on paper and 135 on paper. They were initialed and illuminated by hand, which made each copy unique.

Three volumes of the Gutenberg Bible are located at Fort Knox, the military base built in the US state of Kentucky. A fortress that houses the largest treasure trove of bullion in the United States. In 2007, it was estimated that there were 48 Gutenberg bibles. This includes 11 complete copies, 4 on vellum, and one copy of the New Testament on vellum only. The country with the most copies is Germany which has 12. Mainz, Moscow and Vatican City contain two, Paris and London three, and New York has four copies.

On February 19, 1926, a copy of Gutenberg’s Bible was auctioned in New York.

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Script by Ramiro Zárate and voice over by Pita Fortín.

by Radio Profile FM 101.9