Gutenberg Bible replica
A world-famous library joined forces with us to produce a new copy of one of the world’s first-ever printed books – the Gutenberg Bible.
Helix Binders, who have been supported by Business Gateway Falkirk, won the contract to work with the John Rylands Library in Manchester in October to create a ‘handling’ copy of the original book which was first published in the 15th Century.
With only seven copies of the bible, which are each worth in excess of £40m, in existence in the UK, the library wanted to provide scholars and visiting parties with a rare opportunity to view and touch a replica of the iconic volume owned by the University of Manchester.
Now the copy, which was produced using the combined 60 years’ experience of Helix Binders owners Iain Kirkwood and Robert McKernan, has been delivered to the library and is expected to be unveiled to visiting parties soon.
Iain Kirkwood, Managing Director, Helix Binders, said: “Because the original copies are thought to be amongst the most valuable books in the world they cannot be handled, so the library began a search to find a print and bind company who could help them produce a copy that would allow people to get up-close to the work. We’ve had excellent feedback from the library staff who are delighted with the replica which was sent to Manchester in November. To have played such a crucial role in creating a copy of the bible, thought to be the first major book printed in the west using mass produced moveable type, is a privilege.”
Bernard McGrath, Education and Learning Manager, The John Rylands Library, said: “We’re delighted with the quality and accuracy of Helix Binder’s reproduction of the library’s Gutenberg Bible. The two volumes have already received lots of enthusiastic comments from library staff and we’re now planning to use them in the New Year during schools’ workshops at the library where students will be learning about the invention of printing. Later in 2016 we’ll be developing activities for the general public. We want our visitors to be able to touch and turn the pages so that they can get a good idea of what the original is like while finding out about the historical significance of the Gutenberg Bible.
“Helix Binders have been excellent partners to work with on this project. They’ve been enthusiastic from start to finish, have paid meticulous attention to detail and been able to offer us lots of helpful guidance on some of the decisions we have had to make. We look forward to working with them again in the future.”
Formed in 2007, Helix Binders has established a reputation for producing high-quality, limited edition books that have been sent to royalty throughout the world.
The business, which counts renowned publisher Collins Debden as a client, is also a leading name in university dissertation and thesis print and binding and provides binding services to local authority, university and private libraries throughout the UK.
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