This episode explores three significant Bibles from early American history. The 1743 Germantown Bible was the first European language Bible printed in America. The 1763 edition was the first printed on American-made paper. The 1776 Revolution “Gun Wad” Bible was the first Bible made in America from all-American materials: ink, paper and type. Each Bible highlights advancements in printing and cultural heritage.
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PODCAST TRANSCRIPT:
Today on Celebrate the Bible, we’ll examine three Bibles from the revolutionary period of the United States of America.
I have been very fortunate to obtain acquisitions from all three editions of these historic Bibles. They were printed in Germantown, Pennsylvania by Christopher Saur and his son.
The first edition was the first European Language bible printed in America. The second edition was the first printed from American-made paper. The third edition was the first made from American-made type.
Let’s take a look at each of the Bibles individually, starting with the 1743 Germantown Bible.
Now if you are listening to this as a podcast, and would like to view the photos associated with this episode, please go to my WordPress page at celebratethebible250.com. Just enter “Germantown” into the search box, and the article will come up.
THE 1743 GERMANTOWN BIBLE
This was the first European language Bible printed in America. It was the second Bible printed in America after John Eliot’s Algonquin Indian Bibles of the 1660s.
The text is based on Martin Luther’s version by way of the thirty-fourth edition of the Halle Bible.
They printed it in an edition of 1200 copies. They used fraktur type obtained from a German foundry. Slightly over one hundred are known to have survived.
Christopher Saur was a native born in Wittgenstein, Germany in 1695. He eventually settled in Germantown, Pennsylvania — which is now part of the city of Philadelphia. He practiced medicine before turning to printing.
He thus became the first German-language printer in America. Having imported the type from Germany, Saur manufactured his own printing ink.
He died in the year 1758.
THE SECOND GERMANTOWN BIBLE 1763
This was the second German language Bible printed in America, and the first printed from American-made paper. It contained the same text as the first edition of 1743.
The 1763 edition had a print run of 2000 copies. This Bible was printed by the younger Christopher Saur Junior, son of Christopher Saur the elder. He was born in 1721.
The younger Saur inherited the business in 1758, when his father died. He then continued printing many German language publications.
THE FAMOUS “GUN WAD” BIBLE of 1776
Next we have the third German language Bible printed in America. It is famously known as the “Gun Wad Bible.” This name originated because sheets from it were reportedly used during the American Revolution. They served as cartridge paper during the Battle of Germantown in 1777.
It is notable as the first Bible printed using all American made materials. These include type, paper, and ink. The type was manufactured by Justus Fuchs (Fox) at the Saur Type Foundry in Germantown.
It is believed that this Bible was printed in 3000 copies. Many of these copies were reportedly destroyed by the British during the battle. Christopher’s daughter, Catherine, managed to save ten copies for her family — but this number has never been verified.
Any remaining sheets, including the ones on display today, were reportedly sold at auction in 1778.
Saur himself was hit very hard by the war. He was labeled a Tory and Loyalist. He left Philadelphia with British troops when they withdrew. His property, including his print shop, was seized and sold at auction.
So, until we meet again, and for celebratethebible250, this is Francis Douglas.
If you would like me to give a presentation at your church, school, gallery, or organization, please let me know. My contact information is below.
The topic I cover is the History of the Christian Holy Bible in America.
Your group will not only learn about it. They will also see, on display, pages from the most significant Bibles in American history.
I will be available for Southern New Jersey, Southeastern Pennsylvania, and Northern Delaware.
CONTACT (for presentation inquiries only please):
Available for Southern New Jersey, Southeastern Pennsylvania, and Northern Delaware.
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America 250 Semiquincentennial Bible Celebration 