Rare 4th-Century Christian Codex Expected to Fetch Millions at Auction

A remarkable artifact, known as the Crosby-Schøyen Codex, is soon to be auctioned at Christie's auction house in June. The codex, believed to originate from one of the earliest Christian monasteries in Egypt, dates back to the period of 250-350 AD and is considered to be among the oldest surviving texts in existence.

Historical Significance

Eugenio Donadoni, the senior specialist for books and manuscripts at Christie's, emphasized the historical significance of the codex, stating, "It's right at that period, that transitional period, when papyrus scroll starts turning into codex form. So, books as we know them today. And what we have in this book is the earliest known texts of two books of the Bible."

The 104 pages of the codex, comprising 52 leaves, were meticulously inscribed by a single scribe in Coptic on papyrus over a span of 40 years. It contains complete texts of two significant books from the Bible, specifically the first epistle of Peter and the Book of Jonah. This invaluable relic is part of the Bodmer Papyri, a collection of ancient manuscripts discovered in the 1950s.

Provenance and Acquisition

The fascinating journey of the codex includes its acquisition by the University of Mississippi, where it was housed until 1981. Subsequently, it was obtained by Dr. Martin Schøyen, a renowned Norwegian manuscript collector, in 1988. Dr. Schøyen is now preparing to auction this extraordinary manuscript, in addition to other pieces from his distinguished collection, at Christie's.

Auction Highlights

The upcoming sale at Christie's promises to showcase 1,300 years of cultural history, featuring not only the Crosby-Schøyen Codex but also other noteworthy manuscripts, including the Holkham Hebrew Bible and the Geraardsbergen Bible. The profound significance of these materials extends beyond that of a private or even national public collection, as articulated by the auction house on its website.

Exhibition and Auction Details

Enthusiasts and scholars will have the opportunity to view this extraordinary codex at Christie's New York until April 9. Subsequently, it will be exhibited in Paris later this month before finally going under the hammer on June 11 in London, marking a momentous occasion for collectors and historians alike.