This post is heavily influenced by an article by Christian Alschner published in 1984. He starts the article by recounting the reasons for the scarcity of the original girdle books as the overhanging leather was often removed by librarians.
There are under 50 complete or mostly complete Gutenberg Bibles known to exist today. One of them was a part of William H. Scheide library, that was donated to Princeton in 2015. And it is one of only three books remaining in the original binding.
We are pleased to draw your attention to an exciting fellowship programme that will provide grants for two eligible applicants to travel to Antwerp and conduct research there on the history of the early printed book (15th-18th century).
Last week an exhibition of incunables opened at the Russian State Library in Moscow. There are many notable objects shown there, but arguably the jewel of the show is one of the few remaining Gutenberg Bibles printed on vellum.
