Recently I found a note on my Facebook page from Christina Scheffer in Sweden, a descendant of the real Peter Schoeffer of Gernsheim. The printer’s great-great-grandson Johannes, it turns out, made his way to Sweden in 1642 at the request of Queen Kristina, bringing with him “a wealth of books, well needed to build the library at Uppsala University.” I consider it a fitting tribute to his ancestor Peter that this educated man became a professor of “eloquence and government” thereafter. The Mainz printer Peter Schoeffer’s wife Christina, it appears, lent her name down the nine Swedish generations to the current holder of the name—as did his grandson Ivo, who carried on Peter’s print shop in Mainz.
The legacy of this man is interesting: it touches on one of the most contentious questions in printing history. His son Johannes continued Peter’s print shop when his father died in 1503, and slowly but surely, tarnished Peter Schoeffer’s name by claiming the invention for Fust and Schoeffer alone. By the time that lie was put to rest in the 18th century, the damage to Gutenberg’s collaborators was done. I can’t but help believe that Peter Schoeffer would have been appalled at his son’s falsification.
The evidence suggests that Peter Schoeffer was a modest man. He was devout, and of sufficient gravity to be appointed a city judge. He made no wild claims about his own contribution. Only a few records of this survive: one is Trithemius’ own account of how Peter told him, circa 1485, that “he had found a faster way to cast the letters.” The second is the colophon he had printed at the back of his 1470 edition of the Letters of Jerome. His description of the history could not be clearer:
“Praise to He who gave man art, who gave it also to the excellent masters in the art of lettercutting, both Johannes, Gutenberg and Fust, these two who turned Mainz into the first city to cast type. With them was Schoeffer, who later broke beyond them, met and exceeded those same goals. Thanks to his ability and determination, a gift of God, he exceeded his forbears in the art of lettercutting.”
My novel tries to do justice to all three men, whom their contemporaries referred to as the “Holy Trinity” of printing. But of course, I’m partial to Peter (even if I adopt the English form of Schoeffer over Schöffer). After all, he was the artist of the three—and beyond his incomparable typographic legacy, and all those Swedish and German descendants, he left another enduring bequest. Raise a toast: it’s Schöfferhoffer beer, originally brewed in the Schöfferhof printing works in Mainz. Proof that from printing, all good things flow.
Wonderful artical, thank you for the history. I’m not sure of the connection but I was told I was also related to Peter but my Maiden name is Scheffler and there seem to be a bunch of different spellings. This part of the family came to America in the 16 hundreds. I am an artist and two of my children as Graphic Designers. You can look me up at http://www.alexiascottstudio.com
Hi Alexia, you may well be related to some of the other Scheffers/Shoeffers. I can imagine there is quite
an Ancestry community by now! It originally meant “Shepherd” so there may be very many of them not related
to our Peter. Glad you enjoyed the post and perhaps you’d be interested in the novel as well, given the graphic
ability in your family! Beautiful pastels, do you live near Big Sur? All best, Alix
Thanks for your article. I’m doing some research on PS as I’ve just purchased a book pub. by him in 1476. Apart from the 2 page dedication to the Pope, (which I assume was removed after most of the German States broke away from the corrupt church in Rome) the book is complete and has his colophon at the end. This was the first to be used by anyone!
Hi Ross, which of Peter Schoeffer’s books did you buy?
I believe I’m Peters 14th great grandson.
Hi Bob,
sorry for long delay. Fourteenth great grandson, eh? I have heard from others who are descended from him as well. Where are you located? And do you have ink in your veins? Best, Alix
A number of descendants have written to me — very cool to know!
Found out Johann Fust is my 17th great grandfather! From him to me:
Johann Fust – Christina Fust (married Peter Schoeffer) – Johann der a Schoeffer – Jakob Shaffer – Peter Shaffer – Andreas Shaffer – Gottfried Shaffer – Johann A. Shaffer – Johannes Shaffer – Georg Shaffer – Francis Shaffer – Jacob Conrad Shaffer – Anna E. Shaffer – Maria Hepner – Emma Jane Bordner – Calvin Engle – Mildred Engle – grandmother (living) – mother (living) – Me. 🙂
Pretty fascinating!
Super cool, Kelly!
I also recently learned that I am a direct descendent. Peter Schoeffer – Johann der alter Schoeffer – Jakob Shaffer – Peter Shaffer – Johannes Shaffer – Konrad Schäfer -Nicolaus Schäfer – Johann Schäfer – Phillip Schäffer – Johannes Shiffer – John Shiffer – Daniel Shiffer- James Eliot Shiffer – Oliver Long Sheffer – Charles Royal Sheffer – Hazel Sheffer – Thomas Lappie – Joseph Lappie (me) I have also been a printmaker, specifically utilizing letterpress for the past 20 years. so it floored me when I found out.