Today, bookstore shelves are filled with various types of books, but a few centuries ago, books were almost a luxury item reserved for the highly educated. This changed in the 15th century thanks to Johannes Gutenberg, a German craftsman from Mainz, who invented the printing press based on movable type. Between 1452 and 1455, he printed a complete edition of the Bible, which is now listed as one of UNESCO's most important documents in human history.
Is There a Gutenberg Bible in Poland? One of 47 Surviving Copies
The Gutenberg Bible was printed in approximately 180 copies, although some sources suggest there may have been nearly 200. Only 47 have survived, including just 17 complete two-volume sets. One of these is housed in the Diocesan Museum in the small town of Pelplin in Pomerania, which was established on the grounds of a former Cistercian abbey. However, it is not openly displayed; visitors can usually see a facsimile of the Bible, a one-to-one reproduction, while the original is exhibited only a few times a year. Furthermore, the exact location where the work is stored remains strictly confidential, known only to a few individuals, including Father Krystian Feddek, who has served as the museum's director since 2022.
It must be kept in conditions where the humidity and temperature are controlled. That’s why the final element of our care project for the Bible is to create a display case where it can be shown daily under the proper conditions
- Father Feddek told Onet.
What Makes the Polish Copy of the Gutenberg Bible Unique? A Small Flaw Sets It Apart
The Pelplin version of the Gutenberg Bible is bound in its original 15th-century cover, interestingly made of oak from Pomerania and crafted by Master Henryk Costera from Lübeck. A total of 641 pages were printed in two volumes, with its authenticity confirmed by features such as stabilizers, which are characteristic book bindings, and several printing errors. For several reasons, this copy is exceptional - it is missing the last page of the second volume, where the final part of the Book of Revelation should be. The first volume also has an imperfection: on its 46th page, just below the left column, there is a small rectangular stain, which scientists believe was caused by an accidentally dropped type, and this helped to reconstruct its shape. "These are the unique qualities of the Pelplin copy" - said the priest. So, how did the Gutenberg Bible end up in Poland?
How Much is the Gutenberg Bible Worth? How the Work Came to Poland
Records in chronicles indicate that the Bible was purchased by the Bishop of Chełmno, although the circumstances of this transaction remain unclear, and he then gifted it to the Franciscan Order in Lubawa. When the order was dissolved, the Bible was transferred to the Pelplin diocese and placed in the seminary library. "In fact, no one even knew it was such a treasure" - admitted Father Feddek. The situation became complicated during World War II. After local clergy were massacred by the Germans, Father Dr. Liedtke, who was responsible for the library collection at the time, realized the value and uniqueness of the book and decided to save it at all costs.
He first transported it to the National Economic Bank in Warsaw, and then he brought it to London. Later, the Bible ended up in Canada, from where it was returned to Poland in 1956. Initially, it was kept at Wawel Castle, then moved to Toruń for detailed examination in a local hospital, and finally, it returned to Pomerania. Currently, the Polish copy of the Gutenberg Bible is valued at 200 million PLN, but it is not for sale. For true connoisseurs, however, reprints have been made, priced at around 10,000 euros, or over 40,000 PLN.
