LOC | Opening the Case: The Giant Bible of Mainz at the Library of Congress

On October 6, 2022 from 11:00am–12:30pm EST, the Rare Book & Special Collections Division at the Library of Congress will be hosting an online event: “Opening the Case: The Giant Bible of Mainz at the Library of Congress.” This virtual event celebrating the digitization of the Giant Bible of Mainz will present new research about the context and significance of one of the Library’s greatest treasures.

Given to the Library of Congress by philanthropist and bibliophile Lessing J. Rosenwald in 1952 as a part of the Rosenwald Collection, the Giant Bible of Mainz has captured the imagination of scholars and visitors to Library for more than half a century. Now, through digitization, a new level of public access has been achieved. In keeping with Rosenwald’s commitment to encouraging broad cultural engagement with the history of the illustrated book, these images allow anyone interested in medieval manuscripts to encounter each and every page of this singular codex.

One of the great illuminated manuscripts, the Giant Bible of Mainz represents an amazing moment of transition within the history of European book production. A magnificent Middle-Rhenish manuscript copied between April 1452 and July of 1453, the Giant Bible was written at the same time as Johann Gutenberg was printing his famous bible using moveable metal type. Join us on October 6th, 2022 to learn more about this fascinating moment in book history!

For more information and how to register click here.