Isocrates, Panegyricus, fragment of a scroll, in classical Greek, on papyrus

a single fragment, 73mm. by 22mm., with remains of twelve lines in a formal-mixed or Severe-style hand, verso blank, slight damage to last few lines, else excellent condition, mounted in glass

From the collection of Anton Fackelmann (1916-85); his MS. 7, and published in Aegyptus 64 (1984), pp. 27-9 and Wiener Studien 93 (1980), pp. 28-9, and online as Mertens-Pack 1262 and LDAB 2509. The present manuscript is one of two known fragments to survive from this scroll, the other being Giessen, Universitätsbibliothek P.Iand.211 (P. Giss. Lit. 3.3). That was acquired in 1926 by Prof. Carl Schmidt of Berlin from a dealer in Medinet-al-Fayum, and it seems most likely that the present fragment emerged at the same time.

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."

Isocrates (436–338 BC.) was almost certainly the most influential Greek orator of his time, and is listed among the ten great Attic orators in the Alexandrian Canon. Panegyricus took him ten years to compose, and urged the Greek city-states to put aside their individual feuds in the face of the Persian threat, and unite behind Athens to expel the invader.

The LDAB database lists only 16 papyri fragments of this text, of which this is the only one in private hands.