OT: Oldest Nearly Complete Hebrew Bible (Codex Sassoon) Heads to Auction, expected to fetch $30-50 m

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/15/arts/hebrew-bible-auction-sothebys.html?mibextid=ykz3hl

How about a crowdfunding initiative so Faithlife can buy it and digitize it? Big Smile

In all seriousness, hopefully some entity like Cambridge U (would require a philanthropist) or Princeton Seminary (they could afford it) or the Israeli government will buy it. Then it would be digitized for all to access. It would be a shame for this to fall into the hands of some private investor who will just sit on it.

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Mozzie

No expert on this but, shouldn't some type of gloves be worn when handling this?

David Bailey

From the click-bait title of this thread, I thought its price was astonishingly very reasonable. I'll bid on it! [;)]

Until I saw the actual estimated auction price. [:|]

Rosie Perera

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1247426#Comment_1247426

From the click-bait title of this thread, I thought its price was astonishingly very reasonable. I'll bid on it!

Oops! I left off a very important word. Fixed.

Ted Weis

How about a crowdfunding initiative so Faithlife can buy it and digitize it?

You're in luck. It's already available. See below:

https://www.nli.org.il/en/discover/manuscripts/hebrew-manuscripts/itempage?vid=MANUSCRIPTS&docId=PNX_MANUSCRIPTS990001349580205171&scope=PNX_MANUSCRIPTS&SearchTxt=sassoon+1053

I have a ton of Logos resources, but only two books show awareness of this manuscript. I had no idea this existed. It's incredible. Is there anyone on this forum who had previous knowledge of this codex?

Before it is sold, it'll be toured around the world. See this article below. I think the Green Bible museum in Washington is a prime candidate.

https://www.sothebys.com/en/articles/sassoon-codex-oldest-most-complete-hebrew-bible?locale=en

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1247621#Comment_1247621

Is there anyone on this forum who had previous knowledge of this codex?

Yes and no. It comes up in the Samaritan discussions, but always identified 'medieval' so I ignored!

Rosie Perera

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1247621#Comment_1247621

I had no idea this existed. It's incredible. Is there anyone on this forum who had previous knowledge of this codex?

I had never heard of it either. There are very few mentions of it in my Logos Library, and always with some number (e.g., "Codex Sassoon, No. 54" or "Codex Sassoon 507" or "Codex Sassoon 1053" or "Codex MS Sassoon 823" etc.). I don't know if these are different codices or parts of this one that is to be auctioned off.

I think the Green Bible museum in Washington is a prime candidate.

That article said Tel Aviv, London, Dallas, Los Angeles and New York City. Nothing about Washington.

Ted Weis

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1247621#Comment_1247621

Before it is sold, it'll be toured around the world. See this article below. I think the Green Bible museum in Washington is a prime candidate.

Whoops. I conflated two ideas in that sentence. The Codex will go a brief tour before it is sold. Who will buy it? Wouldn't be surprised if it was Hobby Lobby Green family for Bible Museum in DC.

Ted Weis

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1247688#Comment_1247688

I had never heard of it either. There are very few mentions of it in my Logos Library, and always with some number (e.g., "Codex Sassoon, No. 54" or "Codex Sassoon 507" or "Codex Sassoon 1053" or "Codex MS Sassoon 823" etc.). I don't know if these are different codices or parts of this one that is to be auctioned off.

Reading the Sotheby's article, 1053 was the library number David Sassoon assigned the Codex when it came into his collection. In the Sotheby's pictures, you can see 1053 stamped on the spine's binding.

I think the article said the Codex is missing ten pages, but is otherwise a complete Hebrew Bible. Again, remarkable, precious text!

Rosie Perera

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1247417#Comment_1247417

No expert on this but, shouldn't some type of gloves be worn when handling this?

That surprised me too, but today I learned that nope, gloves should not have been worn.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/09/arts/rare-books-white-gloves.html

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1250667#Comment_1250667

$38.1 (million) smakeroos. And a nice home ... Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv.

Rosie Perera

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1258019#Comment_1258019

$38.1 (million) smakeroos. And a nice home ... Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv.

Good! That's where it belongs. Not in the hands of some private collector.