The Mainz Psalter, completed on 14 August 1457 in Mainz, Germany, became the first book printed in Europe to feature a colophon naming its printer. Produced by Johann Fust and Peter Schoeffer, it marked a milestone in publishing history by openly attributing its creation, a step that would shape the printing profession for centuries.
A pioneering moment in European printing
Formally known as Psalterium Moguntinum, the Mainz Psalter was a liturgical volume containing Psalms and other religious texts for church services. The inclusion of a detailed colophon at the end — naming Fust and Schoeffer and recording the exact completion date — represented a departure from the anonymity that characterised earlier works, including the Gutenberg Bible of 1455. This attribution set a precedent for future printed works to carry the names of their makers.
An early triumph of colour printing
The Psalter’s significance extended beyond its colophon. It was the first book to incorporate printed colour, with red and blue initials produced through a two-colour printing process rather than manual illumination. This innovation, combined with the high-quality Gothic typeface, precise page layout and decorative artistry, demonstrated the rapid evolution of printing technology within just a few years of Gutenberg’s breakthrough.
From Gutenberg’s press to a new partnership
The creation of the Mainz Psalter followed the resolution of a legal dispute between Johannes Gutenberg and his financier Johann Fust. After gaining control of Gutenberg’s printing equipment, Fust partnered with Peter Schoeffer, a skilled calligrapher and former apprentice to Gutenberg. Together, they refined and expanded on the techniques of movable type printing, while asserting their professional and commercial presence through the colophon.
Shaping the identity of the printing profession
The decision to credit the printers carried symbolic weight. It elevated printing from a largely anonymous craft to a recognised profession in which the reputation of the printer could influence a work’s value and reception. This marked the beginning of printer branding, where names became synonymous with quality and innovation in publishing.
A rare treasure of the printed word
Fewer than a handful of complete Mainz Psalters survive today, held in major European libraries and collections. These rare volumes are prized not only for their craftsmanship and artistry but also for their place in the history of communication. The book’s enduring legacy lies in its fusion of technical innovation, artistic excellence and professional recognition — a combination that would define the printed book’s role in shaping modern society.
REFH – Newshub, 14 August 2025
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