Manuscripts and early printed books

Manuscripts are handwritten documents created before the invention of printing, often on parchment or vellum, valued for their craftsmanship and historical significance. Early printed books, beginning with Johannes Gutenberg's Gutenberg Bible around 1455, are produced using movable type, enabling faster and more widespread distribution of texts. These early books bridge the gap between handwritten manuscripts and modern printing, reflecting technological innovation and cultural preservation. Both types are important for understanding history, literature, and the development of communication, with manuscripts often being unique and early printed books signifying a transformative step in book production.