Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Bruce Metzger's Library

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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.

9 comments

  1. 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!

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  2. But 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.

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  3. I 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.

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  4. A question that seems obviosu to me at least: Why is Bruce Metzger selling his library? He is not dead is he...?

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  5. If 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.

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  6. At 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.

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  7. No, Metzger is not yet dead. Deo volente, he will be 93 next February.

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  9. I 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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