Johann Froben (1460–1527) is the most famous of the Basel scholar-printers, whose professional innovations revolutionised printing in Basel and whose publications included many outstanding works of scholarship. The first of Froben’s publication, was this Latin Bible, which appeared in 1491. Froben’s contributions to printing in Basel included popularising roman type, introducing italic and Greek fonts, experimenting with smaller and cheaper books, and employing talented artists, including Hans Holbein, as illustrators. About 250 of Froben’s publications have been listed.

First edition of the “Poor Man’s Bible,” so called because it is the first printed Bible in a small size. Many of Froben's religious titles were printed in sizes that were far more portable than the folios which traditionally had been printed for ecclesiastical use.