2-888-476 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

British Institution Exhibition - "The First Impression" - painted by H. Selous, 1850. Engraving of a painting in a London exhibition: '...one of Mr. Selous's contributions to the collection, which he terms, in the catalogue, "The First Impression", and appends these words: "Guttenberg shewing to his wife his first experiment in printing from moveable types; supposed to have been the Bible, printed in 1450-60."...The subject is an extremely interesting one; yet this commemoration prompts painful reflection. Guttenberg, it will be recollected, experienced the hard fate that all great Inventors have had to endure from the misconceptions and ingratitude of mankind. Posterity has endeavoured in some degree to make amends for this ingratitude: monuments have been raised to his memory, and pictures painted and engraved to celebrate his genius'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850.