1812 Bible

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STEREOTYPED

A Bible published by Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. It was printed for the Philadelphia Bible Society, whose mission was to ensure everyone in the United States had a Bible. Its small size allowed people to purchase it for distribution to friends and neighbors.

This was the first mass-produced Bible published in the United States. Instead of being produced on a movable-type press, it was printed on a stereotype press. Stereotyping is a method of printing in which the type is pressed into a mold. A solid plate is then cast from this mold. Each plate contained all the type for a single page. Due to the plates' solidity, this type of press was sturdier than a movable-type press, and therefore could be run at higher speeds for longer periods of time, allowing for mass production of books.

In 1812, the United States did not possess the technology for stereotype printing, so this Bible was actually printed in London. Because of this, it would have normally been subject to an import tax, but Congress passed a law to waive the import fees on this Bible.

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