Henri-Jean Martin gives a rather full chronicle of the transition in 15th century Europe from an exclusively manuscript culture to a hybrid manuscript/print culture at the start of the 16th century. It's important to remember that the rapid rise of print didn't result in the end of manuscript production, but the market share of hand-written texts had no doubt lost ground in terms of total production. Profit, not social or spiritual good, was the engine that fueled the transition from manuscript to moveable type. And at the end of the 16th century the copying of manuscripts was rare if not unheard of. Some religious orders continued and some eccentric practitioners of calligraphy and illumination also continued, but the manuscript book (diaries, journals, and account books notwithstanding) slowly receded from European life. It's hard not to at least consider whether the fate of the printed book, after an amazing reign of nearly six hundred years, is ceding ground to digital platforms in a similar manner.
Martin's account is notable for the detail he includes about all the ancillary industries and institutions that "set the table" for Gutenberg's innovations. For more information about Gutenberg and facsimile images from several of his books, check out this great site from the British Library: Treasures in Full
Also take a look here Gutenberg Museum--Mainz
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