One of the oldest Christian liturgical books is expected to sell for more than $2.6 million at auction in London.
The Crosbie-Schoen Codex was written on Egyptian papyrus between 250 and 350 AD and was created in one of the first monasteries.
“This is precisely the period of transition, when papyrus scrolls begin to give way to manuscript form,” says Eugenio Donadoni, senior specialist in medieval and Renaissance manuscripts at Christie’s. told Reuters. “So this is the book we know today. And what’s in this book are the two oldest known texts of the Bible.”
The book is expected to fetch between $2.6 million and $3.8 million, according to auction house Christie’s New York.
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Someone shows me the Crosby-Schoen manuscript, one of the oldest books in existence. The manuscript is expected to sell for more than $2.6 million at auction in June. (Reuters/Andrew Hofstetter)
The Crosby-Schoen manuscript, one of the oldest books in existence, is expected to fetch more than $2.6 million at auction. (Reuters/Andrew Hofstetter)
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The five texts included in the Crosby-Schoen manuscript are:
- Bible: Jonah
- Bible: 2 Maccabees 5:27 – 7:41
- Bible: 1 Peter
- Merito of Sardis: Peri Pasha 47 – 105
- Sermon, Unidentified Sermon on Easter Morning
An illustration of the Crosbie-Schoien manuscript, written in Coptic on papyrus and created in one of the first Christian monasteries, circa 250-350 AD. (via Reuters TV, Reuters)
The book was eventually discovered in the 1950s.
The book was owned by the University of Mississippi until 1981, when it was purchased by manuscript collector Dr. Martin Schoen in 1988.
Eugenio Donadoni, senior specialist for medieval and Renaissance manuscripts at Christie’s, examines the Crosbie-Schoen manuscript, one of the oldest books in existence, ahead of its auction. (Reuters/Andrew Hofstetter)
An illustration of the Crosbie-Schoen Manuscript, written in Coptic on papyrus between 250 and 350 AD. (via Reuters)
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The codex will be on display at Christie’s in New York from April 2nd to 9th, and will be auctioned in London on June 11th.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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