The Prince and the Plunder

A book on how Britain took one boy and piles of treasures from Ethiopia

A manuscript of the Acts of St. Takla Haymanot initially presented to Queen Victoria (OR 723)

Published / by Andrew Heavens / Leave a Comment

What: An 18th century Ethiopian manuscript of the Acts of St. Takla Haymanot with many illustrations

Where: The British Library, 96 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DB

Ref: OR 723
Digital version – http://www.bl.uk/manuscripts/FullDisplay.aspx?ref=Or_723

Provenance:
A handwritten note on the first page reads: “Pres. by H.M. the Queen 21 Jan 1869”
Listed in William Wright’s Catalogue of the Ethiopic manuscripts in the British Museum acquired since the year 1847 as one of the “Magdala collection” manuscripts initially presented to Queen Victoria who then gave them to the British Museum.

A run of 250 copies of a reproduction and translation of the manuscript was printed for Lady Meux in 1906 “for private circulation only”.

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