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Maggs Bros. Ltd., London

SINAITICUS SOLD. In 1933, faced with financial difficulties, the Russian government agreed to sell Codex Sinaiticus to the British Library for 100,000 pounds. More than half of the funds to buy the 347 leaves were raised by the British public. The excitement generated by the purchase is captured in this picture of bookseller Ernest Maggs as he displays the manuscript for the press.