Soon after Gutenberg's death, Schœffer put forth this artful claim for recognition as one of the inventors of the new art:
Moses, in the plan of the tabernacle, and Solomon, in the plan of the temple, did nothing more than imagine a meritorious work. The merit of constructing the temple was greater than Solomon's thought. Hiram and Beselehel, greater than Solomon, improved on the plans of Solomon and Moses. He who is pleased to endow mighty men with knowledge has given us two distinguished masters in the art of 
Portrait of Peter Schœffer.
[From Dahl.]engraving, both bearing the name of John, both living in the city of Mentz, and both illustrious as the first printers of books. In company with these masters, Peter hastened toward the same end.[1] The last to leave, he was the first to arrive; for he excelled in the science of engraving, through the grace of Him only who can give genius and inspiration. Hereafter every nation may procure proper types of its own characters, for he excels in the engraving of all kinds of types. It would be almost incredible were I to specify the great sums which he pays to the wise men who correct his editions. He has in his employ, the professor Francis, the grammarian, whose methodical science is admired all over the world. I, also, am attached to him, not by any greed of filthy lucre, but by my love for the general good, and for the honor of my country. Oh that they who set the types and they who read the proofs would free their texts from errors! The lovers of literature would certainly reward them with crowns of honor when with their books, they come to aid the students in thousands of schools.[2]
- ↑ This passage is an allusion to the running of the disciples to the sepulchre where Christ had been laid. "So they ran both together; and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre … yet went he not in. … Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre." St John, xx, 4, 6.
- ↑ Institutes of Justinian, 1468.
