Traquair is well known for its libraries and superb collection of books, with over a hundred volumes printed before1600.
Of these we hold a copy of the fifth Koberger Bible printed in 1479 by Anton Koberger.
Koberger was one of the most successful printers of his day. He set up his business in Nuremburg and was said to have had up to 24 printing presses and around 100 people working from him. He was godfather of Albrecht Durer, the famous printmaker, painter and writer.
One of the first “mass produced” bibles when printing was invented in 1470. Koberger turned down Martin Luther to print his version of the Bible. There are no title pages and signature letters at the end of the book, A-Z, then AA etc. The bible has illuminated coloured and gold initials throughout with 468 leaves.
Koberger also printed the Nuremburg Chronicle which is also held at Traquair and subject of a previous blog.