Libraries abroad: The British Library launches campaign to acquire Europe’s oldest book

The British Library has announced £9m (roughly $14.5 million) fundraising campaign to acquire the earliest surviving intact European book – palm-sized leather-bound Gospel.

The book with revelations of apostles was discovered inside the coffin of St Cuthbert of Lindisfarne, who lived more than 1300 years ago. The St Cuthbert Gospel has been on long-term loan to the British Library since 1979. At present the librarians are holding negotiations wishing to acquire the artifact. The National Heritage Memorial Fund has already announced its plans to back the campaign and promised to make a grant of £4.5m (approx. $7.2 million) – amounting to half of the purchase price. The National Art Fund also intends to allocate £250 thousand ($403 thousand).

Once the acquisition has been completed the British Library staff promises to display the unique book to the public at famous Durham Cathedral which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Gospel was discovered in the cathedral in 1104 when the coffin of St Cuthbert was opened.

The book which dates back to 7th century has almost completely preserved its original leather binding. Researchers presume that it was buried alongside St Cuthbert on Lindisfarne Island (by the shores of Northumberland). However two centuries later, when monks were forced to leave the cloister under the threat of Viking invasion, together with remains of the saint it was moved to Durham in the north-east England.