<P> The Gutenberg Bible ( also known as the 42 - line Bible , the Mazarin Bible or the B42 ) was the first major book printed using mass - produced movable metal type in Europe . It marked the start of the `` Gutenberg Revolution '' and the age of the printed book in the West . Widely praised for its high aesthetic and artistic qualities , the book has an iconic status . Written in Latin , the Catholic Gutenberg Bible is an edition of the Vulgate , printed by Johannes Gutenberg , in Mainz , in present - day Germany , in the 1450s . Since its publication , 49 copies ( or substantial portions of copies ) have survived , and they are considered to be among the most valuable books in the world even though no complete copy has been sold since 1978 . </P>
<P> The Gutenberg Bible ( also known as the 42 - line Bible , the Mazarin Bible or the B42 ) was the first major book printed using mass - produced movable metal type in Europe . It marked the start of the `` Gutenberg Revolution '' and the age of the printed book in the West . Widely praised for its high aesthetic and artistic qualities , the book has an iconic status . Written in Latin , the Catholic Gutenberg Bible is an edition of the Vulgate , printed by Johannes Gutenberg , in Mainz , in present - day Germany , in the 1450s . Since its publication , 49 copies ( or substantial portions of copies ) have survived , and they are considered to be among the most valuable books in the world even though no complete copy has been sold since 1978 . </P>
when was the first bible printed on a printing press
when was the first bible printed on a printing press
1450s
1450s