France, marble & bronze, monumental figure clock of Johann Gutenberg (1399--1468), standing next to his printing press, and a large chase with a line of type. He is holding a page just printed showing the reverse of the type in the chase. To the right of

France, marble & bronze, monumental figure clock of Johann Gutenberg (1399--1468), standing next to his printing press, and a large chase with a line of type. He is holding a page just printed showing the reverse of the type in the chase. To the right of his foot is an open book, with the title 'BIBLIA LATINA', and beyond his left foot the ink tool or spreader. And with a well made bell strike movement, silk thread suspension. fancy gilt bezel and glazed dial cover. The porcelain dial signed Gorini Freres & Cie, a Paris. there is very minor corner-edge roughness to the white marble in a few places. A zealous maid has rubbed the gilt feet, waist molding and bezel surround, so the high spots have lost their gold and turned brown. The movement is sound, but would benefit from service. This clock depicts a grand theme, sure to appeal to students of education or of religion. Gutenberg was the inventor of the printing press that changed the course of western civilization. The first bibles (180 copies) were printed around 1450 in the city of Mainz, Germany, other printed documents and legal papers predate that.