České tištěné Bible 1488–1715 v kontextu domácí knižní kultury
Czech printed Bibles 1488–1715 in the context of domestic book culture

Summary/Abstract: The present paper aims to linguistically assess Czech bibles published between 1488 and 1715. However, the bibles within this period are not examined so much from a theological, translational or linguistic standpoint as from that of book culture. Through research into printing type, decoration, illustrations and also to some extent publishers’ and individual bindings, we shall attempt by means of comparisons with foreign bibles to answer the question whether publishing initiatives of this type contributed to the cultivation of the community of readers and the book printing craft. Apart from several popularizing works over the last few decades, nobody has yet dealt with this topic in its entirety. As our exploratory “Spravedlnost pro Severinovy bible” [Justice for the Severin Bibles] (Knihy a dějiny 2012, pp. 70–86) initially outlines, materially and comparatistically conceived research may lead to conclusions which in many respects will not fit in with previous research. This is indicated by the following conclusions: 1) The publication frequency of “Utraquist” versions in this country reflected the limited creative capacity of biblists and the book printing sphere, whereas in the case of Brethren versions it bears witness to a great appreciation for collective intellectual and craftsmanlike work. 2) Publication strategy was responding to the official Czech dual faith (the coexistence of Utraquism and Catholicism) and the existence of the non ‑conformist Unity of Brethren. Synoptic research indicates that most pre ‑1620 publishers and printers had to flexibly respect these specific denominational conditions in such a way that the bible as a book product reached the broadest possible reading public. 3) Bible editions almost invariably had no effect on the illustration scene even taking into account the 1570 illustration series. 4) The 1506 Venetian Bible and two Severin Bibles (1529 and 1537) had greater influence on the future development of book culture than the “Melantrichs”, which as publication copies are only minor innovations, particularly based on the second Severin of 1537. 5) The typographical aspect of the Brethren editions is not original, but draws on Swiss influence. A strongly inspirational and vital role is played by the Kralice edition at the exegetic, translational and linguistic level, but not with regard to its typographic and graphic decorative contribution. In their time these levels did not influence Czech book culture and were only reflected and used for enlightenment purposes much later. 6) The question whether incunabula and pre ‑1620 bible editions influenced book culture in this country cannot be answered with a clear negative, but it can be answered with a considerable degree of scepticism. In comparison with ordinary book production, however, their generally superior graphic standard clearly facilitated the habit of quiet daily reading to a considerable extent.

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