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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbooks, May 1947-February 1950

ARCH.2003.30, Rendition: 802870

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This image shows a document dated "JAN 14 1950" with a header that reads "FOGG ART MUSEUM, HARVARD UNIVERSITY, CAMBRIDGE 38, MASS." The document is a press release or statement regarding the study of a 2,000-year-old leather scroll, purported to contain the story of Noah's father, at the Fogg Art Museum of Harvard University.

The document states that scientists at the museum have concluded the scroll can be safely opened after two days of careful study. However, technical difficulties will delay the opening, which is planned to take six months. The scroll is described as partly disintegrated and damaged by foreign matter and is believed to contain the oldest Old Testament text in existence. Professor John Coolidge, the Director of the Fogg Art Museum, comments on the risks involved in the project, noting that no guarantee of success can be given but that experiments with fragments of the scroll have led them to believe it is feasible to attempt to open the full scroll.

The document is pinned to a piece of brown paper, which appears to be part of an archive or historical collection.

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The image is a typed document on a white sheet of paper, placed on top of a brown cardboard backing. The document is from the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The text is dated January 14, 1950.

The document discusses the efforts of scientists at the Fogg Art Museum to open a 2,000-year-old leather scroll believed to contain the story of Noah's father. After two days of careful study, the scientists concluded that the scroll can be safely opened, though technical difficulties will delay the undertaking. The scroll is partly disintegrated and damaged by foreign matter, and it is believed to contain the oldest Old Testament text in existence.

The document mentions that the Fogg scientists will not begin work on the project for several weeks and expect it to take six months to complete the opening of the scroll. Professor John Coolidge, the Director of the Museum, comments on the hazards involved in the project, stating that no guarantee of success can be given, but experiments with fragments of the scroll lead them to believe that it is feasible to attempt to open the full scroll.

The document is typed in a serif font and is formatted with a header at the top that includes the museum's name and location. There is a small tear on the left side of the paper near the top. The text ends with "(more)" indicating that there is additional information on subsequent pages.

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This image displays a vintage press release from the Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University, dated January 14, 1950.

The document is printed on aged, off-white paper and is affixed to a larger, tan-colored paper backing, which has two visible binding holes on the left margin — suggesting it was part of a file or report.

The heading prominently features:

FOGG ART MUSEUM
HARVARD UNIVERSITY, CAMBRIDGE 38, MASS.

Below the date, the press release details a significant announcement:

  • Scientists at the museum, after two days of study, have concluded that a 2,000-year-old leather scroll, believed to contain the story of Noah’s father, can be safely opened.
  • Prof. John Coolidge, Director of the Museum, announced the decision but cautioned that technical difficulties will delay the start of conservation work.
  • The project will not begin for several weeks and, once started, is expected to take six months to complete.
  • The scroll is described as “partly disintegrated and damaged by foreign matter” but is believed to contain the oldest Old Testament text in existence.
  • Professor Coolidge comments on the high risk, stating: “The difficulties we face in opening this scroll are such that no guarantee of success can be given. However, experiments with fragments of the scroll lead us to believe that it is feasible to attempt to open the full scroll.”

The release concludes with the notation “(more)”, indicating this is only the first page of a longer statement.

Overall, the document captures a moment of cautious scientific optimism in 1950, as Harvard scholars prepared to undertake a delicate and historic conservation project — an early endeavor to preserve and study what was thought to be one of the oldest biblical manuscripts. The aged paper and formal typewritten text give the document a strong archival and historical character.

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The image features a document printed on white paper, placed on a brown folder. The document has a blue heading at the top that reads "FOGG ART MUSEUM" and "HARVARD UNIVERSITY, CAMBRIDGE 38, MASS." Below this heading, there is a date, "JAN 14 1950." The text of the document discusses a 2,000-year-old leather scroll believed to contain the story of Noah's father, which has been deemed safe to open by scientists at the Fogg Art Museum of Harvard University. It mentions that technical difficulties will delay the opening of the scroll and that the process is expected to take six months. The document also highlights the challenges involved in opening the scroll, with no guarantees of success, but experiments with fragments lead to the belief that it is feasible to attempt to open the full scroll.

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The image is a photograph of a document. The document is a press release from the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University, dated January 14, 1955. The document is mounted on a brown cardboard sheet. The press release announces that scientists at the museum have concluded that a 2,000-year-old leather scroll believed to contain the story of Noah's father can be safely opened. The scroll is believed to contain the oldest Old Testament text in existence. The press release quotes Professor Coolidge, the Director of the Museum, who mentions that technical difficulties will delay the undertaking of this difficult task in the Fogg's Department of Conservation. The scientists expect it will take six months to complete the opening of the scroll.

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The image shows a document from the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, dated January 14, 1956. The document is a typed announcement regarding a significant discovery and decision made by scientists at the museum.

Key Details from the Document:

  1. Institution and Date:

    • The document is from the Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University, dated January 14, 1956.
  2. Discovery:

    • Scientists at the Fogg Art Museum, after two days of careful study, concluded that a 2,000-year-old leather scroll, believed to contain the story of Noah's father, can be safely opened.
  3. Announcement:

    • The decision was announced by Prof. John Coolidge, Director of the Museum.
  4. Technical Challenges:

    • Technical difficulties will delay the opening of the scroll, which will be undertaken by the Fogg's Department of Conservation.
  5. Timeline:

    • Scientists will not begin work on the project for several weeks.
    • Once work begins, it is expected to take six months to complete the opening of the scroll.
  6. Condition of the Scroll:

    • The scroll is described as partly disintegrated and damaged by foreign matter.
    • It is believed to contain the oldest Old Testament text in existence.
  7. Hazards and Feasibility:

    • Professor Coolidge comments on the hazards involved, noting that the difficulties in opening the scroll are such that no guarantee of success can be given.
    • However, experiments with fragments of the scroll have led scientists to believe that it is feasible to attempt to open the full scroll.

Visual Description:

  • The document is typed on white paper and is placed on a brown cardboard backing, which appears to be part of an archival or display setup.
  • The text is neatly aligned and formatted, with clear headings and paragraphs.
  • The document is slightly worn, with visible creases and minor discoloration, suggesting it is an original or historical artifact.

Context:

The announcement reflects a significant moment in archaeological and historical research, highlighting the careful and cautious approach required when dealing with ancient, fragile artifacts. The scroll's potential to contain the oldest known Old Testament text underscores its historical and scholarly importance. The mention of technical difficulties and the lengthy timeline emphasizes the complexity and fragility of the task.

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The image shows a letter from the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University, dated January 14, 1950. The letter is typed on a piece of paper with a tan border and is attached to a brown folder.

  • Letterhead
    • The letterhead features the museum's name, "FOGG ART MUSEUM," in large blue text at the top.
    • Below the museum's name, it says "HARVARD UNIVERSITY, CAMBRIDGE 38, MASS." in smaller blue text.
  • Date
    • The date "JAN 14 1950" is printed in the upper-right corner of the page in blue ink.
  • Content
    • The letter discusses the difficulties encountered by scientists at the Fogg Art Museum of Harvard University in opening a 2,000-year-old leather scroll believed to contain the story of Noah's father.
    • The letter states that the scientists will not begin work on the project for several weeks and that it will take six months to complete the opening of the scroll.
    • The letter also mentions that the scroll is partly disintegrated and damaged by foreign matter, which makes it difficult to open.
    • The letter concludes by stating that no guarantee of success can be given, but that experiments with fragments of the scroll lead the researchers to believe that it is feasible to attempt to open the full scroll.
  • Signature
    • The letter is signed by Professor John Coolidge, Director of the Museum.
  • Folder
    • The letter is attached to a brown folder with two holes punched in the left side.
    • The folder appears to be made of a thick, textured paper or cardboard material.

Overall, the image provides a glimpse into the challenges faced by scientists in opening a rare and valuable artifact, and the determination of the researchers to overcome these challenges despite the difficulties.

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The image shows a typed document on aged paper, featuring the title "FOGG ART MUSEUM" in blue text at the top. Below this, the address "HARVARD UNIVERSITY, CAMBRIDGE 38, MASS." is printed in smaller blue text.

The main body of the document is a press release announcing the opening of a 2,000-year-old leather scroll believed to contain the story of Noah's father. The release states that scientists at the Fogg Art Museum of Harvard University have concluded that the scroll can be safely opened after two days of careful study.

However, the release also notes that technical difficulties will delay the undertaking of this difficult task in the Fogg's Department of Conservation. The scientists will not begin work on the project for several weeks, and when they start, they expect it will take six months to complete the opening of the scroll.

The scroll, partly disintegrated and damaged by foreign matter, is believed to contain the oldest Old Testament text in existence. Commenting on the hazards involved in the project, Professor Coolidge said: "The difficulties we face in opening this scroll are such that no guarantee of success can be given. However, experiments with fragments of the scroll lead us to believe that it is feasible to attempt to open the full scroll."

The document is dated January 14, 1950, and features a stamp with the same date. It appears to be a photocopy or scan of an original document, with a beige background and a gray border around the edges.

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The image presents a typed document on aged paper, stapled to a brown folder. The document is from the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University, dated January 14, 1950.

  • Document Header
    • The header features the museum's name, "FOGG ART MUSEUM," in blue text.
    • Below this, the affiliation with Harvard University is stated: "HARVARD UNIVERSITY, CAMBRIDGE 38, MASS."
    • A date stamp on the right side reads "JAN 14 1950."
  • Document Content
    • The document discusses a 2,000-year-old leather scroll believed to contain the story of Noah's father.
    • Scientists at the Fogg Art Museum have concluded that the scroll can be safely opened after two days of careful study.
    • Prof. John Coolidge, Director of the Museum, announces that technical difficulties will delay the undertaking of this task in the Fogg's Department of Conservation.
    • Fogg scientists will not begin work on the project for several weeks and expect it to take six months to complete the opening of the scroll.
    • The scroll is partially disintegrated and damaged by foreign matter, believed to contain the oldest Old Testament text in existence.
    • Commenting on the hazards involved in the project, Professor Coolidge said, "The difficulties we face in opening this scroll are such that no guarantee of success can be given. However, experiments with fragments of the scroll lead us to believe that it is feasible to attempt to open the full scroll."
  • Document Footer
    • The text "(more)" is typed at the bottom, indicating that the document continues on another page.

In summary, the image shows a document from the Fogg Art Museum discussing the conservation and potential opening of a 2,000-year-old leather scroll containing a significant biblical text. The process is expected to be challenging and time-consuming, with no guarantee of success.

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The image presents a typed document on a beige paper, affixed to a brown cardboard background with two silver staples. The document is headed by "FOGG ART MUSEUM" in blue text, accompanied by the address "HARVARD UNIVERSITY, CAMBRIDGE 38, MASS." below it.

Date and Content

  • The date "JAN 14 1950" is stamped in the top-right corner.
  • The document discusses the discovery of a 2,000-year-old leather scroll believed to contain the story of Noah's father.
  • Scientists at the Fogg Art Museum of Harvard University have concluded that the scroll can be safely opened after two days of careful study.
  • The document quotes Professor John Coolidge, Director of the Museum, who mentions that technical difficulties will delay the undertaking of this difficult task in the Fogg's Department of Conservation.

Project Details

  • Fogg scientists will not begin work on the project for several weeks.
  • When they start, they expect it will take six months to complete the opening of the scroll.
  • The scroll, partially disintegrated and damaged by foreign matter, is believed to contain the oldest Old Testament text in existence.

Quote from Professor Coolidge

  • Professor Coolidge said: "The difficulties we face in opening this scroll are such that no guarantee of success can be given. However, experiments with fragments of the scroll lead us to believe that it is feasible to attempt to open the full scroll."