1,800-Year-Old Copy of Homer’s Iliad on Display at Abu Dhabi Book Fair; Ancient Inscriptions Available for Purchase

This year’s Abu Dhabi International Book Fair is showcasing a collection of rare books, manuscripts and historical artefacts, some of which are on sale for hundreds of thousands of euros.

Among the collection’s highlights is a fragment of a second-century manuscript of Homer’s “Iliad”, dating back around 1,800 years. Written on papyrus, the text forms part of the surviving manuscript tradition of works attributed to the ancient Greek poet Homer.

According to Yasser Raad, director of the Austrian company Inlibris, such works primarily attract museums, libraries, cultural institutions and private collectors. Another manuscript of Homer’s works is also on display at the stand, priced in the hundreds of thousands of euros.

Another highlight is a 17th-century Bible that was once presented as a wedding gift and later kept in the library of a German princess. Its cover is decorated with gold and precious stones, and it is priced at €65,000.

🔴 Japanese Scrolls Valued at €450,000

A collection of five illustrated Japanese scrolls dating to 1658 is also on display. Spanning about nine metres in total, the scrolls feature 26 images telling a story of love, revenge and war. The collection, including its original storage box, is priced at €450,000.

Among the historical items relating to the Gulf is an album of early photographs of the region taken by British naval officer Charles Courtney Bell during his travels. One image is captioned “Sheikh of Sharjah.”

Another notable item is a bronze sculpture of Sheikh Zayed’s beloved falcon, named “No. 1.” British wildlife artist David Smeek created the piece after visiting Abu Dhabi in 2000 and studying Sheikh Zayed’s falcons in Sweihan. According to Inlibris, the sculpture is a unique edition, cast and hand-painted by the artist himself.