Thoughts About Books Inspired by Gutenburg

Today's "Google Doodle" celebrates Johannes Gutenberg, the man associated with movable type and the beginning of printing for the masses. As with most inventions, similar equipment was also invented by other people, but Gutenberg managed to get some breaks falling his way and getting the contract to print "The Bible" or "The Holy Bible" or whatever name they chose for that edition, that was a 'plum' contract. And that contract, fed his family, and put his name on the map of "Oh Yeah! Great Invention" pegboard. His ability to cast type quickly, and load pages up quickly, allowed him to make his name in the printing industry and allowed the printing press to bring books to the masses instead of the super-rich. 

The ESV Illuminated Bible is unique - it's almost 
monochromatic, with an arts and crafts look 
to it. No splashes of color here - everything is 
metallic gold and bronze and black and white. 

The days of having hand-illuminated volumes in a library, the most valuable tomes actually chained to their reading stands, was eliminated with a single swoosh of a weighted platen against an inked bed. The printing press allowed heroes of romances to shop in back alleyways for small gems, meet the man of their dreams, and ride off into the sunset together, each reading their own adventure pamphlet. It allowed Martin Luther to affix his Ninety-five Theses to the door of the All Saints Church in Wittenburg (although this more than likely is a folk story, not based in fact). 

According to the story, Martin Luther posted a complete copy 
of his Ninety-five Theses to the door of All Saints Church 
in Wittenberg, which started a revolution that ended up 
in what's known as the "Reformation". Such a huge movement 
that came about because of many factors, including the 
invention of movable type and the printing press. 

But more than anything, the printing press, and the many variations after the 1400's, allowed the common man to possess and to read the lore that had been reserved for those in the clergy, the law, or who had the monetary stability to purchase or commission tomes of their own. It brought knowledge into reach for those who had never dreamed beyond the next sunset or the next harvest., It allowed for public schools instead of just religious schools, and it opened a vast door for authors to write tomes that in their own times would shake the world. 

The Gutenberg Printing Press looked like 
this. If you want to see how it works, 
here's a link to a YouTube video. 

Now, the printing press, although still quite healthy, is being matched by the electronic press. No longer do we stand, affixed, as we look through titles on the shelves of a bookstore or second-hand store. Now we download our books, read on our phones or tablets, and carry libraries of hundreds and thousands of books in our hands. It's wonderful, it's intoxicating, and it lacks a certain "something". 

The old hand-illuminated manuscripts were like 
miniature works of art on every page. They were 
so detailed and exacting. 

There's something so magnificent about a fully hand-written tome. These days, when there is such an item being produced, it's still usually a religious track. The latest illuminated manuscript I can think of is the St John's Illuminated Bible which was completed in 2002. But I think there is one being worked on in Minnesota at this time, I just can't find specific information on it right now. In any case, an illuminated Bible is a magnificent tome so I chose to populate this post with some pictures from illuminated texts because ... everyone needs some pretty in their lives. 

Take a look at this amazing volume. This is 
the Prayerbook of Claude de France, and I found 
this in a website of the Top 10 Most 
Beautiful Medieval Manuscripts. I'll 
give you a link to this page, it's got 
some lovely examples to look at. 

It's sleeting outside right now, with a small amount of snow on the ground. Although I have to go grocery shopping, I'll avoid doing a lot of going around from here to there today. I'm going to curl up, work on some stuff between loads of laundry, and try to have a relaxing "day off" (as far as my housework will allow). Have an excellent day and please, be kind, stay safe and wear your mask. I'll be back tomorrow.