Jesuits sell historic book to British Library for $14m

Photo (Courtesy) http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/digitisedmanuscripts/2011/07/the-st-cuthbert-gospel.html


The Jesuits have sold the historic St Cuthbert Gospel - believed the oldest intact book produced in Europe - to the British Library for A$14 million, reports the Catholic News Service.

The British Province of the Society of Jesus agreed to sell the late 7th-century Anglo-Saxon manuscript to raise funds to restore a historic church and pay for educational work in London and Glasgow, Scotland.

The book, a pocket-size Latin translation of the Gospel of St John, was found inside the coffin of St Cuthbert, bishop of Lindisfarne, when the saint's grave was opened in 1104.

Experts believe the manuscript was placed inside the casket within 10 years of the hermit's death in 687.

Jesuit Father Kevin Fox, spokesman for the British Province of the Society of Jesus, announced the sale of the Gospel in a statement in July.

"It has been our privilege to possess this book for nearly 250 years," he said. "Now, in order to answer more of the many demands on our resources, the province trustees have decided to sell."
He said that the British Library would ensure that the manuscript was available for people from around the world to view either directly or online.

FULL STORY

Jesuits sell historic 7th-century St. Cuthbert Gospel for $14.7 million (Catholic News Agency)

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