Biblia Sacra. [Facsimile of the Gutenberg 42-line Bible] by [Bible] Gutenberg, Johann

New York: Pageant Books, 1961 Limited edition of 1000 sets, this copy unnumbered. 2 vols., large folio. Text of the entire Gutenberg Bible printed lithographically, the illumination reproduced through sheet-fed gravure. Hand-bound crushed crimson morocco, Gutenberg's initials tooled in blind within large lozenge on both upper covers, spine gilt-lettered, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt, An outstanding, fresh and clean copy of this sumptuous masterpiece of lithography - the first American facsimile of the Gutenberg Bible of 1455. The text is based on the first facsimile ever produced, that of Insel Verlag, 1913-14. The Insel facsimile was produced from two of the most attractive copies, preserved at the Berlin Koniglichen Bibliothek and the Standischen Landesbibliothek in Fulda. This explains the occasional interpolation of leaves with a different (though always German) decorative style, which adds to the charm of the work as it provides different examples of contemporary illumination. The paper is '100 per cent rag content made especially for this book'. This copy is unnumbered and is hand-bound in sumptuous red morocco.