Description: THE GUTENBERG BIBLE First Edition Complete BOOK OF HAGGAI From the World's First Printed BibleAnd First Printed Book 1455 Gutenberg Bible: Book of Haggai. Mainz: Johann Gutenberg and Johann Fust, 1455. Royal Folio [App. 15.25 x 11.25] The Book of Haggai and opening column of the Book of Zechariah (2pp). Double columns, 42 lines. Handsomely rubricated in red and blue with a large chapter initial in blue, section title in red, chapter number with alternate red-blue elements, red capital strokes throughout the text and headlines of alternate red-blue lombards. It is our great privilege to offer an extraordinary object - a complete book from the Gutenberg Bible, a remarkable leaf consisting of the full text of the Book of Haggai and a portion of the Book of Zechariah. One of the most valuable books in the world, the Gutenberg Bible was printed between 1450-55 and was the first substantial European book printed with moveable type. As such, it is commonly recognized as "the world's first printed book" and is an important part of our world heritage. The example at hand is bound in full black morocco, stamped in blind and in gilt. The present binding was commissioned by Gabriel Wells, a prominent New York bookseller in 1921. It is accompanied by a letterpress printed essay by A. Edward Newton that pays tribute to the significance of the Gutenberg Bible. It sells with a custom leather bookbox. Provenance: This book derives from an incomplete copy of the Gutenberg Bible that traces to Prince Karl Theodor von Pfalz-Sulzbach and the Court Library of Mannheim - subsequently held at the Royal Library of Munich - thence to Robert Curzon, 1810-1870, 14th Baron Zouche (from 1870) - Mary Cecil Curzon Frankland, 1877-1965, 17th Baroness Zouche (from 1917), sold via Sotheby s, 9 November 1920, lot 70 Frank Sabin Gabriel Wells, who divided the text into individual leaves with some complete Bible books, presented as Noble Fragments in 1921 - with the book at hand being donated to an institution that same year. After a century in institutional hands, this rare work has been deaccessioned and is now offered to the public. It is the only complete book from the Gutenberg Bible on the world market. This listing offers what is likely the last opportunity to secure a complete book from the Gutenberg Bible for less than seven figures. Please contact us with any requests for additional photographs and information. _____________________________________ GALLERY INFORMATION: We are pleased to offer the most extensive inventory of rare Bibles in the world. Specializing in the sale of early printed books and manuscripts, we have built some of the world's greatest collections and work with descendants of notable families to find their legacies new homes. If investing a portion of your portfolio in alternative assets, we would be delighted to work with you. Items listed on eBay are merely representative of our broader inventory. We specialize in early printed Bibles in English, with a particular focus on first editions and other significant printings. Our stock includes a wide range of Tyndale New Testaments, as well as first editions of the Coverdale Bible (1535), the Matthews Bible (1537), the Great Bible (1539), the Geneva Bible (1560), the Bishops Bible (1568) and the King James Bible (1611). Please do not hesitate to enquire regarding other early printed books and manuscripts. TERMS: All items are offered subject to prior sale. All items are guaranteed as described. We are willing to hold items for seven days. All shipments are well packaged and sent in a traceable manner with insurance available upon buyer's request. White glove delivery service is available for qualified purchases. We accept payment via Visa, MasterCard, American Express, checks (in U.S. currency), money orders and wire transfers.Payment in advance is required for all first time clients. We can offer deferred billing to approved institutions.
Price: 425000 USD
Location: Birmingham, Alabama
End Time: 2025-01-13T22:44:58.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 USD
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Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Binding: Leather
Place of Publication: Mainz
Language: Latin
Special Attributes: 1st Edition
Region: Europe
Publisher: Johannes Gutenberg
Topic: Christianity, Bibles
Country/Region of Manufacture: Germany
Subject: Religion & Spirituality
Original/Facsimile: Original
Year Printed: 1455