The Invention of Printing.: A Collection of Facts and Opinions, Descriptive of Early Prints and Playing Cards, the Block-Books of the Fifteenth Century, the Legend of Lourens Janszoon Coster, of Haarlem, and the Work of John Gutenberg and His AssociatesDe Vinne, Theodore Low
History
The Invention of Printing.: A Collection of Facts and Opinions, Descriptive of Early Prints and Playing Cards, the Block-Books of the Fifteenth Century, the Legend of Lourens Janszoon Coster, of Haarlem, and the Work of John Gutenberg and His Associates
De Vinne, Theodore Low
Incunabula -- Bibliography; Printing -- History -- Origin and antecedents
The most explicit evidence concerning this form of four pieces is given
by Lorentz Beildick, the servant of Gutenberg.
Lorentz Beildick testified that John Gutenberg, on a certain day,
sent him to the house of Claus Dritzehen, after the death of Andrew,
his brother, with this message—that he should not show to any person
the press in his care. Witness did so. Gutenberg had instructed him
minutely, and told him that Claus should go to the press and should
_turn two buttons, so that the pieces would be detached one from the
other_; that these pieces should be afterward placed in the press or
on the press; that when this had been done, _no one could comprehend
its purpose_. Gutenberg also requested Claus Dritzehen, if he should
leave his house, that he should at once repair to his house [John
Gutenberg’s], who had [p386] some things to tell to him in person.
This witness remembers perfectly that John Gutenberg was not indebted
to the late Andrew, but that, on the contrary, Andrew was indebted to
John Gutenberg. Witness also testified that he had never been present
at any of their meetings since Christmas last. Witness had often seen
Andrew Dritzehen dining at the house of John Gutenberg, but he had
never seen him give to Gutenberg as much as a stiver.
The bold manner in which Beildick denied the payment of money by Andrew
Dritzehen, seems to have greatly exasperated George Dritzehen, who
threatened him with a prosecution for false evidence, or perjury. There
was a scene in the court. George Dritzehen cried out, sarcastically,
“Witness, tell the truth, even if it takes us both to the gallows.”
Beildick complained to the judge of this intimidation, but it does not
appear that the affair had further consequences.
Reimboldt, of Ehenheim, testified that he was at the house of Andrew
before Christmas, and asked him _what he intended to do with the nice
things with which he was busy_. Andrew told him that _they had already
cost him more than 500 guilders_, but that he hoped, when the work
was perfected, to make a great deal of money, with which he would pay
witness, and would also receive a proper reward for his labor. Witness
lent him 8 guilders, for he was then very needy. Witness’s wife had
also lent money to Andrew. Andrew once came to her with a ring, which
he valued at 30 guilders, and which he had pawned to the Jews at
Ehenheim for 5 guilders. Witness further said that he knew very well
that Dritzehen had prepared two large barrels of sweet wine, of which
he gave one-half omen to Gutenberg, and one-half omen to Mydehart.
He had also given Gutenberg some pears. On a certain occasion Andrew
had requested witness to buy for him two half-barrels of wine, and
Dritzehen and Heilmann, jointly, had given one of these half-barrels
to Gutenberg.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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