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LOT 204:
The First Newspaper Publication of the "Dead Sea Scrolls," Product of Moses Shapira's Forgery. 1883
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Start price:
$
120
Estimated price :
$300 - $400
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The First Newspaper Publication of the "Dead Sea Scrolls," Product of Moses Shapira's Forgery. 1883
Leaf from Scientific American, dated October 27, 1883, containing the first publication of forger Moses Shapira's "discovery" of scrolls supposedly comprising a handwritten Deuteronomy, and the "location" in which they were found. This report was published before Shapira's forgery was discovered, and describes the discovery's details as true.
Moses Wilhelm Shapira (1830-1884) was a collector and antique dealer who lived and worked in Jerusalem during the second half of the 19th century. He gained fame as an antique forger following two known cases - the forgery of a Moabite potsherds collection, and scrolls (now known as the "Shapira Strips") discovered in the Dead Sea area in 1883. The scrolls contained a version (with slight changes) of Deuteronomy. The British Museum and additional researchers concluded they were forged. The scrolls were declared illegitimate, Shapira left London, and in 1884 committed suicide.
Size: 23x19 cm, framed by handsome passepartout 34x29 cm. Very fine condition.
