Jean Mentel

Jean Mentel , or Johannes Mentel , also known under the name of Mentelin is a printer-typographer born in 1410 with Sélestat in the the Low-Rhine in Alsace. He dies in 1478.

He is the first to print books in Alsace and the second in Europe after Jean Gutenberg. But according to certain theories, the paternity of modern printing works would return to him.

After a formation of Illumination in its birthplace, it settles with Strasbourg towards 1440 like illuminator with the service of the Robert bishop of Bavaria.

Towards 1458, it opens its workshop of printing works to the 9 of the street of the Spine from which its first Incunable S. will leave.

In 1460, it publishes its first book: a Latin bible of 49 lines. In 1466, it will be its first bible in German language which will be taken again like model for all the other German bibles.

The books published by Jean Mentel are especially religious books, due to the strong influence of the religion of the time. On the whole, it produced forty work (theology, literature, history).

He dies the December 12th 1478. He rests in the cathedral of Strasbourg on the left steps of the chorus.

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