Andrew Wilson pointed me to the fact that a large number of books from Bruce Metzger's library, including some outstanding historical editions of the Greek New Testament including a 1550 Stephanus; Wettstein 1751&2; Mill 1723 [I presume this may be an edition of Kuester's revision of Mill, it is not specified]; as well as Tregelles 1861 [a bit steep at $550 methinks, considering it lacks volume one!!!]; von Soden 1902 [the most tempting, and a significant lack in my library, but I'm not convinced that I have $500 to spare at the moment]. There are plenty of others to choose from as well, although not too many outstanding bargains.
Have a look around if you are interested (I'm not getting any commission): here.
A forum for people with knowledge of the Bible in its original languages to discuss its manuscripts and textual history from the perspective of historic evangelical theology.
- Contributors
- Peter M. Head (ed)
- Tommy Wasserman (ed)
- P. J. Williams, and others
Unfortunately it's not the end of the financial year here in Aberdeen. At a previous financial year end I did succeed in getting the school to purchase the new facsimile of Vaticanus. However, I don't think that $8,500 would be forthcoming right now!
ReplyDeleteBut since Von Soden is online it is not really so tempting to me. It's too recent a work to be worth paying for the 'old dust' value.
ReplyDeleteI think that facsimiles are probably a good investment, and better than books of primarily historical interest. Of course on-line photos of manuscripts are good as well, but at least handling a facsimile edition approximates to the handling of an actual manuscript. What I mean is that with a facsimile, our method of studying it is a closer approximation to the way people used it.
ReplyDeleteA question that seems obviosu to me at least: Why is Bruce Metzger selling his library? He is not dead is he...?
ReplyDeleteIf you sell your books while you are still alive you have more control. James Barr, for instance, sold much of his library in the last couple of years.
ReplyDeleteAt Dove Booksellers (www.dovebook.com) they are always selling some scholars' libraries among their other inventory of new and used books. I notice that E. P. Sanders is among the current batch. My understanding is that the scholars' are usually, but not always, still living when they begin selling them. I have one professor who is still actively teaching but already thinking about what will be the best venue to sell his books.
ReplyDeleteNo, Metzger is not yet dead. Deo volente, he will be 93 next February.
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ReplyDeleteI am the one selling the books from Bruce Metzger's library. Over two Summers I looked at his library and bought the particular ones I wanted. I have been a used theological bookseller for 20 years. I buy and sell academic theology. I have 4,000 of my 20,000 books on ABE. There will be more Metzger books added over time. Over the last three years I have purchased from at least 30 scholars libraries.This summer I bought a collection from George Wolfgang Forell. I am always looking to buy books or trade. I publish catalogues quarterly.
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