I’d spring for a cup of coffee if I got a chance to set ‘em up for old Henne, but since he pulled off his coup 542 years or so ago, it ain’t gonna happen.

In 1455 he and a copartner, Johann Fust exulted over the first fruit of their labor.  Those two rushed from their place of bidness and smilingly exhibited the numero uno book to be produced by a press outfitted with moveable type.  It was the Mazarin Bible and Henne Gutenberg of Mainz, Germany was the creative genius behind the process.

The route he’d traversed to perform this miracle had not been a paved road.  Henne first saw daylight in 1400 over in Mainz.  He migrated to Strassburg in 1436 and ran across Andreas Dryzehn who was out of work.

“Partner up with me,” Henne said, “and I’ll teach you in a secret art and make us both a sack of money!”

“Sign me up,” Andreas said.  Unfortunately the partnership failed in 1438 when Andreas passed on to his eternal reward.  Henne grieved the loss, and took a ten year hiatus for his wounds to heal.

Then, in 1448, he and Johann Faust made acquaintance.  Henne had the know how and Johann had the gulden to get the show back on the road.  The Marazin Bible was the eighth wonder of the world, but it did not generate the capital to furnish Johann his investment, nor the profit he’d expected.  There were hard feelings betwixt Henne and Johann, and Henne lit a shuck for parts unknown.  Johann, a rich goldsmith, went before the tribunals, but he was unsuccessful in recouping his investment or putting Henne in debtor’s prison, but he was awarded the printing press.

Henne next ran across Peter Schöffer over in Gernsheim, and with access to the coffers of Pete they cranked out “Letters of Indulgence” and “Catholine” in 1455 and 1460.  Wisely Henne Guthenberg’s name was not mentioned in those publications.  They heeded the old adage of not kicking a sleeping dog.

If you’ve read any printed matter lately, you may want to toast Henne Gutenberg.  They put him in the ground on February 23, 1468, but his efforts are part and parcel ingredients of one man’s struggle to put the printed word on paper.  Single handedly he put the monk union on unemployment and released them of the onus of turkey feather and ink labors in those old dark monasteries.  Bill Gates might be busing tables at IHOP had there not been a Henne Gutenberg.

I personally am an addict of the stock up at the library, and leaf through sixty, or so, books a year.  To me they’re handier and more easily managed than any other form of communication.  They are my narcotic of choice.

The most enjoyable book that I read last year was “Night Fall” by Nelson DeMille.  “Green Eggs and Ham” came in second and it was, of course, authored by Dr. Seuss.

Let me hear from you.

My phone number is 254-893-5063, my official postal address is: 333 W AYERS AVE – DE LEON TX 76444-2113, and you can e-mail Charles@CharlesChupp.com.

Ol’ Margaret, my operator, is standing by.