The Gospel of St. John According to the Earliest Coptic Manuscript

£150.00

The Gospel of St. John According to the Earliest Coptic Manuscript

Name: The Gospel of St. John According to the Earliest Coptic Manuscript
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6428
Price: 150.00 GBP
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The Gospel of St. John According to the Earliest Coptic Manuscript, Sir Herbert Thompson — 1st Edition

Publication: London, British School of Archaeology in Egypt and Bernard Quaritch, 1924

Formatting: 4to, pp. xxxix, [i], 70, plus plates.

Condition Report: Good. The original quarter burgundy cloth over printed buff paper boards remains sturdy, though the extremities display moderate rubbing, edge-wear, and minor bumping to the corners consistent with its age and institutional history. The spine, featuring gilt lettering, bears a small paper shelf-label at the head, alongside slight fraying at the head and tail. Internally, the binding is secure. As an ex-library copy from the Chester Society of Natural Science, it retains their bookplate on the front pastedown, alongside a "Withdrawn For Sale" stamp, and a neat blind stamp to the title page. The text block and plates themselves are largely clean, with only light, sporadic toning and occasional minor foxing, presenting a highly readable and well-preserved study copy.

Catalogue Note: A scarce first edition of this significant archaeological and theological volume, presenting the earliest known Coptic manuscript of the Gospel of St. John.

The manuscript, discovered by Guy Brunton wrapped in linen inside a buried pottery jar near Asyut, Egypt, is meticulously translated and edited by the eminent British Egyptologist Sir Herbert Thompson.

The volume features extensive halftone plate reproductions of the papyrus codex, offering critical primary source material for both Coptic scholars and biblical historians.

This copy carries a factual institutional provenance from the Chester Society of Natural Science, Literature, and Art. Due to its specialised academic nature, first editions of this work appear uncommonly on the open market.

Discovered in a buried jar in the Egyptian desert in 1923, this volume presents the earliest known Coptic translation of the Gospel of St. John. Edited by renowned Egyptologist Sir Herbert Thompson, this meticulous publication features a full translation alongside comprehensive photographic plates of the fragile papyrus codex. An essential resource for theologians, historians, and archaeologists, it offers a fascinating window into early Christian scripture and the remarkable preservation of ancient texts.

Book Condition: Good

Book Authors: Sir Herbert Thompson

Book Publisher: British School of Archaeology in Egypt and Bernard Quaritch

Book Language: English and Coptic

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Religion & Spirituality

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 110

Book Publication Year: 1924

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: British School of Archaeology in Egypt

Country/region of manufacture: Vienna, Austria

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

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Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.