Lot 200: * A large Egyptian fragmentary papyrus recording a bill of sale

A large Egyptian fragmentary papyrus recording a bill of sale Ptolemaic period, Reign of Ptolemy XII, dated to 20-22 November 69 B.C.Written on both sides, on the recto a text pertaining to the sale of a house, Text A: deed of sale, Text B: session, on the verso two identical lists of 16 witness names with filiation.Text A reads: In year 12, month three of the inundation period of pharaoh Ptolemaios, the father-loving gods, the brother-loving gods and [at the time of] the priest of Alexandros and Queen Cleopatra, called Tryphaina, his sister, his wife, and the titulary of those which [are inscribed in] Rakote.Said by the Hagriter of the mountain and servant of Horus, lord of Hebenu, the great god, Wylw, son of Awmaylw, his mother is Taesis, to the Hagriter and servant of Horus, lord of Hebenu the great god, Haronnophris, son of Haronnophris, his mother is Taesis.You have made my heart content with the money for the value of my house, which is built ... without plank (and) door, top and bottom, inclusive of the elevation to the sky and the unbuilt lands which forms its South and North, and the other yard, which forms its West, which measures six god's cubits along the Southern wall and six god's cubits along the Northern wall on the ... of the whole ... same house including its elevation to the sky, and everything belonging to it ... East of Hebenu, which devolved on me from my father.The neighbours of the house in question and the unbuilt lands forming its South, North (and) West:South; unbuilt lands of Totoes (son of) Haronnophris, your brother, who is behind(?) youNorth; your other unbuilt landsWest; your other yard, which measures six god's cubits in the South along the Southern wall, which measures six god's cubits along the Northern wall, on the ... of the house in questionEast; the street.Which are The neighbours of the other yard, which forms the West of the house in question:South; the streetNorth; the places of Pneperos, son of HarpaesisEast; your house West; the place of Har... son of ...-hy which are held by his sonYours they are ...I have sold them to you. I have received the price in money from your hand, my heart is content in so far as it is complete (without a remainder).He who will claim against you because of them, I will arrange that he withdraws from you as a necessity, without delay.Yours are all in papers and deeds and everything relating to them, and their right and my rights in their name.The oath of the proof which will be requested from me, I will give it to you without any legal dispute.The son, the daughter, the brother, the sister, any man on earth who will claim against you will give you 6000 silver pieces, which makes 20 talents in copper, at a rate of 24 (obols) per silver piece, as a fine, for the specified property. And he shall give a further five real silver pieces for the sacrifices to the eternal living pharaohs. He will be far from you (and) I will not be able to say; complete your ... from today furthermore to eternity.Text B is the deed of session for the above transaction. 102 x 32cm

Provenance:George Anastase Michaelides (1900-1973) collection, Cairo. Erich Lüddeckens (1913-2004) collection, Germany, acquired from the above spring 1954. Property from the Estate of the late Professor E. Lüddeckens; Christie's, London, 15 October 2005, lot 102. Private collection. Published: E. Lüddeckens, 'Ein demotsicher Papyrus aus Mittelägypten: Papyrus Lüddeckens II', in Zeitschrift für Ägyptische Sprache und Altertumskunde, Berlin, 1988, vol. 115, p.52-61, pl. I-V, with full transliteration, translation and notes.This papyrus originates from the village known today as Kom-el-Ahmar.