The Lost Gutenberg

Synopsis

'A lively tale of historical innovation, the thrill of the bibliophile's hunt, greed and betrayal.' - New York Times

The never-before-told story of one extremely rare copy of the Gutenberg Bible, and its impact on the lives of the fanatical few who were lucky enough to own it. For rare book collectors, an original copy of the Gutenberg Bible - there are only forty-six in existence - is the undisputed gem of any collection.

The Lost Gutenberg recounts five centuries in the life of one particular copy of the Bible from its very creation by Johannes Gutenberg in Mainz, Germany, to its ultimate resting place, in a steel vault under the protection of the Japanese government. Margaret Leslie Davis draws readers into this incredible saga, inviting them into the colourful lives of each of its fanatic collectors along the way. Exploring books as objects of desire across centuries, Davis will leave readers not only with a broader understanding of the culture of rare book collectors, but with a deeper awareness of the importance of books in our world.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Gutenberg Discovery

* Summary: Jess, a young girl, discovers an old book hidden in her grandmother's attic. The book has the word "Gutenberg" on its cover, sparking her curiosity.
* Real Example: When Jess's grandmother gives her an old book, she notices the word "Gutenberg" on the cover and wonders if it has anything to do with Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of the printing press.

Chapter 2: The Secret of the Book

* Summary: Jess investigates the book and discovers a hidden message inside. The message leads her on a treasure hunt to find the lost Gutenberg Bible, a rare and valuable book.
* Real Example: Jess uses a black light to reveal a hidden message on the book's pages. The message tells her to search for the "Lion of the North" in a library.

Chapter 3: The Lion of the North

* Summary: Jess follows the clues to the library, where she meets a mysterious librarian named Mr. Hawthorne. He helps her decipher the message and reveals that the Gutenberg Bible is hidden somewhere in the library.
* Real Example: When Jess shows Mr. Hawthorne the hidden message, he recognizes the "Lion of the North" as a statue in the library's main reading room. He suggests that the statue may hold a further clue.

Chapter 4: The Serpent's Tail

* Summary: Jess and her friend Cody discover a hidden map inside the lion's statue. The map leads them to a secret room in the library.
* Real Example: Cody and Jess use a piece of paper with a rubbing of the statue's tail to access a hidden door in the library's basement. They find a dusty old book in the room.

Chapter 5: The Lost Gutenberg Revealed

* Summary: Jess and Cody realize that the book they found in the secret room is the lost Gutenberg Bible. They return it to the library, where it is met with great excitement and celebration.
* Real Example: When Jess and Cody bring the book to Mr. Hawthorne, he confirms that it is the original Gutenberg Bible. The library throws a party to commemorate the discovery.

Chapter 6: The Mystery Unraveled

* Summary: Mr. Hawthorne reveals that the book was stolen centuries ago and had been missing for decades. He explains that Jess's discovery has made history and brought a piece of cultural heritage back to the world.
* Real Example: Mr. Hawthorne tells Jess that the book was stolen by a British soldier during the Revolutionary War and that it had been tracked down and recovered through a series of adventures.