This illustrated Lübeck Bible was printed by Steffen Arndes who moved to Lübeck around 1485. The town was prosperous as a main trading port and Arndes had a printing business there for over thirty years. Across the Trave River from Arndes’ workroom is situated the Lübeck Museum of Theatre Puppets. This museum contains over 1000 puppets, marionettes and their accessories, including complete theatre sets, advertising posters and musical accompaniments. Puppetry in a variety of forms has remained popular for centuries throughout the world. A New Zealand example illustrating this was the Merrie Midgets Marionette Theatre.
From German Craftsmanship to New Zealand Performance
05 November 2023
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The A-Master, Creation of Eve from Adam's rib
De Biblie mit vlitigher achtinghe: Recht na deme latine in dudesck auerghesettet mit vorluchtinghe unde glose: des hochghelerden Postillatoers Nicolai de Lyra (Lübeck: Steffen Arndes, 1494)
University of Canterbury Library
The Lübeck Bible of 1494 was produced on the eve of an event that was to create a lasting religious divide in Europe, the Reformation. It came to the University of Canterbury via Christ’s College, Christchurch, which received it as a gift from Arthur Perceval, chaplain to Queen Victoria. Perceval had been presented with it in 1846 by a Lübeck innkeeper. This translation of the Bible into Low German was created to meet the needs of city dwellers who could read their native dialect but not the traditional language of scholarship, Latin.
When closed, the Bible’s striking Renaissance binding is visible. This includes a set of notable metal corner pieces and clasps. The University of Canterbury volume is unusual for its excellent condition and is the only copy, of the 72 that remain in existence, to reside in the Southern Hemisphere
This marionette was created by Dulcie and Ernie Comfort of Christchurch. Their Merrie Midgets Marionette Theatre shows, originally performed for family and friends, soon expanded into community performances. They became a regular feature at the school holiday entertainment programme on the roof of Hay’s Limited department store. The popular show ran for nearly 10 years and toured New Zealand. Scripts were often based on fairytales, or songs, like Dem Bones Dry Bones. This song is based on Bible verses Ezekiel 37:1-14, where the prophet visits the Valley of Dry Bones and prophesies that they will become alive by God’s command. This marionette comes apart, and then the bones reconnect into a skeleton as the song is sung.
Skeleton marionette with detachable bones used for Merrie Midgets marionette theatre, 1950s
Canterbury Museum, 2005.111.257
Want to know more?
Gareth Pritchard, 'The Lübeck Bible', in Treasures of the University of Canterbury Library, ed. by Chris Jones & Bronwyn Matthews with Jennifer Clement (Christchurch: CUP, 2011)
