A Hebrew Bible believed to be more than 1,000 years old is soon to be auctioned.
The Bible, which has been named “Codex Sasson”, is believed to be the very first and most complete Hebrew Bible in existence.
HISTORICAL: “Codex Sasson” is believed to be the very first and most complete Hebrew Bible in existence. Photo: Kin Cheung/AP
Between 22 and 28 February, the Bible will be on display at the auction house Sotheby´si London. After this, it will go on an exhibition tour to Israel and the USA.
In May 2023, the historic souvenir will be auctioned in New York. If you are to get hold of it, it is expected that you will have to fork out between NOK 300 and 500 million.
Very important
The Bible has been very little accessible to the public until now, says a press release from Sotheby’s earlier in February.
– This is the most important document that has ever come up for auction, says specialist in books and manuscripts at Sotheby’s, Sharon Mintz, to CNN.
THE FOUNDATION: The Hebrew Bible is said to have been the very basis for the three faiths Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Photo: John Minchillo/AP
– It is also the most important document I have ever had the pleasure of reading, examining and holding, she adds.
– The Bible is one of the world’s greatest treasures and has had a major impact on the three monotheistic faiths and their billions of followers, it says Sotheby’s own websites.
It is named after David Sasson, who is said to have been a collector of Hebrew Bibles between 1840 and 1942.
Made of animal skin
The over 1,000-year-old Bible consists of 792 pages made of animal skin. The book weighs around twelve kilos.
The book specialist explains that the Bible in question was made in a very expensive way that only the very wealthy could afford to pay for it.
The current owner bought “Codex Sasson” in 1989, and says via the auction agency that he is now happy to be able to share it with the rest of the world.
COSTLY: The Bible is believed to have been made in a very expensive way. Photo: John Minchillo/AP
