The Dawn of Printing
September 24 - December 14, 2001

This exhibit displayed some of the earliest forms of printing from around the globe.  A Gutenberg Bible reproduction page gave a glimpse of the first printing resulting from moveable metal type.  Eastern influence was illustrated by a Chinese block print.  These Buddhist scriptures were printed with wood blocks in 1440 A.D.  Also included was a leaf from one of the earliest examples of illustrated chronicles, the Nuremberg Chronicle.  In contrast to these early forms of printing was an Armenian Bible manuscript on vellum, a hand lettered leaf of animal skin that dates back to the fifteenth century.  The variety of examples in this exhibit illustrated the art of printing and offers an exciting glimpse into the past.