How much is an original Gutenberg Bible worth?

How much is an original Gutenberg Bible worth?

The last sale of a complete Gutenberg Bible took place in 1978, when a copy went for a cool $2.2 million. A lone volume later sold for $5.4 million in 1987, and experts now estimate a complete copy could fetch upwards of $35 million at auction.

What is the history of the Gutenberg Bible?

The Gutenberg Bible was printed in Mainz in 1455 by Johann Gutenberg and his associates, Johann Fust and Peter Schoeffer. Only 48 copies are known to have survived, of which 12 are printed on vellum and 36 on paper. Twenty are complete, two of them at the British Library, one printed on paper (shelfmark C. 9.

How much is a Gutenberg Bible leaf worth?

Original Leaf from the Gutenberg Bible – Price Estimate: $40000 – $50000.

Who wrote the Gutenberg Bible?

Johann Gutenberg
In Mainz, Germany, in the mid-1450s, Johann Gutenberg and his partner Johann Fust published more than 150 large-format copies of the Bible in Latin. This is the book known today as the Gutenberg Bible.

Are old Bibles worth any money?

In general, a Bible published from around 1820 – 2000 almost certainly has little or no value. Because Bibles published in that time period are so common today, they are easy to obtain. When a book is easy to obtain and plentiful, it’s not rare, and most times, not very valuable.

What is the oldest Bible?

Along with Codex Vaticanus, Codex Sinaiticus is considered one of the most valuable manuscripts available, as it is one of the oldest and likely closer to the original text of the Greek New Testament.

How many Gutenberg Bibles are there?

There are 48 copies of the Gutenberg Bible still in existence, not all of them complete, some being only substantial fragments of one of the two volumes. Of these, 12 are printed on vellum. Only four vellum copies and 12 paper copies are complete. Both copies in the British Library are complete.

Can you buy a Gutenberg Bible?

THE BOOK THAT CHANGED THE WORLD. Considered a wonder in its own day and revered for its design and artistry, the Gutenberg Bible is now regarded one of the world’s most iconic artifacts. Only 21 complete copies survive and none have been offered for sale since 1978.

Who made the first Bible?

Traditionally these books were considered to have been dictated to Moses by God himself. Since the 17th century, scholars have viewed the original sources as being the product of multiple anonymous authors while also allowing the possibility of Moses being the one who first assembled the separate sources.

How many Gutenberg Bibles are complete?

There are 48 copies of the Gutenberg Bible still in existence, not all of them complete, some being only substantial fragments of one of the two volumes. Of these, 12 are printed on vellum. Only four vellum copies and 12 paper copies are complete.