News

World’s Oldest Surviving Bound Book Valued at £9 Million

September 12, 2011

  Earlier this summer, the British Library agreed to buy the St Cuthbert Gospel from its Jesuit owners. The book is believed to date from the late 7th century was appraised at £9 million by the Jesuit’s agent, Christie’s. The book has been in Jesuit possession for over 200 years and has been on loan to the British Library since 1979. Although the sale agreement was reached privately, the £9 price tag rivals some of the highest auction results ever recorded for books and manuscripts.

The St Cuthbert Gospel was thought to be transcribed on the occasion of the elevation of Cuthbert to sainthood in 698. The manuscript was removed from the coffin of St Cuthbert in 1104 along with other relics when the Saint’s remains were placed in a shrine behind the altar at Durham Cathedral. Although the valuation of the book has been accepted and the sale agreements reached, the British Library have until March 31, 2012 to pay the remaining balance of £2.75m. The gospel will be exhibited at Durham Cathedral beginning in the summer of 2013.