News

Ryan Center receives a 400 year-old page from Luther’s Bible

January 3, 2006 - The Ryan Center is honored to receive the donation of an original page from the 1594 printing of the Luther Bible. The page is particularly valuable because it contains a woodcut illustration depicting Gideon’s army. Printed on hand-made paper, this rare Reformation artifact signifies a main thrust of the Reformation – the printing of the Bible in the language of the people. Luther first printed his translation of the Bible in 1534 in Wittenburg. This page was also printed in Wittenburg by Zacharias Lehmen. The leaf is in excellent condition and the illustration is vivid and well preserved. The Ryan Center is very grateful for this important gift. It is part of a growing collection of historical items related to Bible study including a1615 copy of the Geneva Bible and a copy of Beza's Greek text.