Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Toto · 03-15-2008, 12:54 PM

Akron investor's biblical artifacts being auctioned online

Quote:

What was once a bright constellation in the universe of art and antiquities is disintegrating in an online auction, mouse-click by mouse-click, in a major step toward satisfying millions of dollars of an Akron collector's debt.
. . .

To view the auction, go to http://arteprimitivo.com and click on the top image of a plank decorated with Egyptian hieroglyphics.

But excluded are some of the most valuable parts of the collection:

Quote:

• A batch of biblical artifacts that includes fragments from the Book of Exodus and the Letter of Paul to the Colossians. It also includes part of the controversial Gnostic manuscript known as the Gospel of Judas.

• A large marble Assyrian relief believed to have belonged to Alexander the Great;

• Fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls, whose display at the John S. Knight Center in 2004 devolved into a contentious public squabble, with court injunctions and lawsuits over missing money, unpaid bills, and claims of fraud.

Roger Pearse · 03-15-2008, 12:58 PM

This must be the collection of Bruce Ferrini. Interesting to see that he also had the Coptic Exodus manuscript (now scattered to the winds) and also the Coptic Paul (whereabouts unknown). It looks as if he got custody of all 4 manuscripts that had been smuggled out of Egypt. These items are pretty certainly not his property, and lawsuits for ownership exist.

Ferrini was a sinister figure in the transactions surrounding these mss. By putting them in the fridge when damp, he reduced them to a collection of splinters.

Toto · 03-15-2008, 01:04 PM

Yes, it's Ferrini.

Quote:

Ferrini, a Kent State University graduate, began his collecting career as a young man, purchasing a single illustrated leaf from a Cleveland dealer for $27. With a discerning eye and shrewd business sense, he acquired a collection of illuminated manuscripts that was internationally recognized for its quality. In 1995, Ferrini made headlines after exposing a retired Ohio State University professor who was stealing rare manuscript pages from the Vatican.

If he could get Hollywood interested, he might recoup some of his money.

French Prometheus · 03-15-2008, 01:29 PM

Sounds interesting. All the more since I also collect antiques and ancient coins.

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03-15-2008, 12:58 PM	#2
Roger Pearse Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: N/A Posts: 4,370	This must be the collection of Bruce Ferrini. Interesting to see that he also had the Coptic Exodus manuscript (now scattered to the winds) and also the Coptic Paul (whereabouts unknown). It looks as if he got custody of all 4 manuscripts that had been smuggled out of Egypt. These items are pretty certainly not his property, and lawsuits for ownership exist. Ferrini was a sinister figure in the transactions surrounding these mss. By putting them in the fridge when damp, he reduced them to a collection of splinters.

03-15-2008, 01:29 PM	#4
French Prometheus Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: France Posts: 5,839	Sounds interesting. All the more since I also collect antiques and ancient coins.

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