Martin Schøyen (born January 31, 1940) is a Norwegian businessman, traveller, historian, paleographer and collector of books.
He started collecting books in 1955. Currently his private collection, the Schøyen Collection, contains more than 13,000 manuscript items, the oldest book is about 5,000 years old.
In 2012 he was forced to sell 60 manuscripts at Sothebys because of the Norwegian wealth tax. In 2024 further sales took place.
Some manuscripts Biblical manuscript in Coptic language, dated to the 3rd century. 15 Dead Sea ScrollsAt the Schøyen Collection Sumerian text from the 21st century B.C.; Ur-Nammu's law-codeAt the Schøyen Collection Babylonian calendar from 2000–1600 B.C.At the Schøyen Collection Tutankhamun's signet ring MS 5236, an ancient Greek block print dating to the 6th century BC
References
External links The Schøyen Collection