GUTENBERG-BIBEL. SOGENANNTE "PAPST-EXEMPLAR"

GUTENBERG BIBLE. SO-CALLED 'POPE'S COPY'
Magnificent facsimile of the 42-line Bible (Mainz, ca. 1452–1455). Unique world edition of only 33 Roman-numbered copies. The present copy is IV/XXXIII. This copy was personally signed on the front flyleaf by Joseph Cardinal Höffner (1906–1987) ('+ Joseph Card. Höffner'). Höffner was Archbishop of Cologne and Chairman of the German Bishops' Conference. This signature from one of the highest-ranking German church princes emphasizes the high ceremonial significance and exclusivity of this edition. Full leather binding on solid wooden boards. Elaborate blind and gold embossing based on late medieval designs. Eight massive, magnificently gilded corner fittings. with ornamental engravings as well as two fully functional book clasps made of gilded metal. Accurate facsimile on specially made, age-resistant handmade paper. The illuminations, initials, and rubrications were crafted following the example of the copy from the private library of His Holiness Pope John Paul II in the Vatican. Three-sided, hand-chiseled gilt edges. Exceptionally well-preserved deluxe copy of museum quality. The leather and gilding are in impeccable condition. This edition represents a bibliophile rarity. While conventional facsimile editions often appear in print runs of several hundred copies, the strict limitation to only 33 copies worldwide – combined with the personal signature of Cardinal Höffner – makes this item of particular historical interest for premier collections of Christian art and book history.
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