Fragments, in Greek and Coptic, from manuscripts on papyrus

51 packets of fragments from various manuscripts, including (a) a fragment of an order for wine (54mm. by 40mm.) remains of three lines in Greek including an order for "two double jars" and the date Thoth 9 (ie. Thoth, the first month of the Egyptian calendar running from 29 August-28 September, thus for 7/8 September here; the date perhaps in Coptic), Egypt, late fourth / early fifth century AD; (b) a large fragment (135mm. by 65mm.) in Greek, of a document recording the payment of "122 solidi less / plus 862 (carrats)" (a large amount of gold: nearly one and three-quarter pounds) to the "people of Tampemou" (more correctly Tampermou, a well-attested  settlement in the Oxyrhynchite Nome, now most probably the Egyptian village of Tambu), Egypt (Tampermou), sixth century AD; (c) small fragment (59mm. by 25mm.) in Greek with names of Egyptian months: Tybi (27 December-25 January), Phamenoth (26 February-25 March), and Pachon (26 April-25 May), perhaps from some calculatory device, Egypt / Byzantium, second century AD; (d) a complete expenses sheet (90mm. by 28mm.) in Coptic, with a column of numbers which most probably are days of the month (second to eighth days), with sundry expenses and expenditure symbols next to them, Egypt, c. 550 AD, now mounted on modern fabric; (e) a fragment of a private letter (125mm. by 18mm.) in Greek, to a holder of an influential post in the army or civil service, conveying that the sender "prays for your health", Byzantium, most probably fourth century AD; (f) a substantial fragment of a private letter, perhaps a love letter (110mm. by 80mm.), in Greek, remains of 4 lines in Byzantine documentary cursive, addressing one Theophilus, and including the line "... bringing him to me, Theophilus!", Byzantium, sixth century AD; (g) eleven fragments of Byzantine documents in Greek and Coptic (the largest measuring 100mm. by 75mm.), bearing the name of one "Serenus", and a list of occupations including fish vendor and builder, Byzantium, sixth century AD; (h) fragments of two name-lists (100mm. by 50mm. & 55mm. by 31mm.) in Greek recording the names of Petermoutius, Horus son of Mysthes, Panoupis, Patmouis, Theou son of Pa..., Papontos, Sisois & Kopri, Strato, Hekysis and Sarapou..., Egypt / Byzantium, second or third century AD; (i) a small fragment of a document, apparently requesting spare parts for an agricultural machine (59mm. by 45mm.) in Greek, preserving the words "from Antino(polis)" (an Egyptian city which flourished in the Byzantine period and was the source of a large number of medical manuscripts), and "axle" most probably meant here as a component of an irrigation machine, Egypt, sixth century AD; (j) a fragment of a dating formula (95mm. by 45mm.) in Greek or Coptic, which has been partially erased perhaps due to common mistakes caused by the complexity of such formulas and the often rapid succession of rulers in Egypt, Egypt, second century (actual date not legible); and forty-one other parcels of fragments in Greek (one parcel including nineteen separate collections of fragments alone), four Coptic fragments, and one Coptic and Arabic fragment, all in plastic wallets and often  with short descriptions and translations

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

From the collection of the late Eric von Scherling of Leiden (d. 1956), a collector and early dealer in ancient manuscript fragments. He issued a regular publication called Rotulus, part manuscript letter, part sale catalogue. The present manuscript fragments were probably all bought in the 1930s.