Add MS 89298/1/8

(1927). Discussing plans for upcoming purchases, and visits to Egypt by Campbell Bonner and Eitrem. Conversation between Michigan and the British Museum regarding potential independent purchasing of papyrus, and the risk of precipitating higher prices. Questions about the way in which the American group should be represented on the Purchasing Syndicate and in purchasing decisions, and the distribution of papyri.

(1928). Returned from trip to Egypt with the Greek Travel Club. Reports on the Michigan camp at Kom Aushim. Descriptions of papyri purchased from dealer Mohammad Abdullah. Reports on Professor D M Robinson of John Hopkins University purchasing papyri without the knowledge of Peterson. Descriptions of papyri currently offered by Nahman. Seeking Bell's input on a piece for publication. Encloses rough list of papyri purchased December 1927, and attached typed transcript of the previous letter. Comments on the prices charged by Mohammad Abdulla. Informs Bell of his confrontation of Robinson re: the secret purchase of papyri from Nahman. Discusses the distribution of papyri. Michigan should have $500 dollars to purchase during 1928-1929. Request for Lamacraft to package and send on Michigan papyri. Discussion of the proposed price tariff. Potential cooperation of Glanville.

(1929). Doubts about the continuing participation of Oslo in the Purchasing Syndicate. Concern about the behaviour of Amundsen. Copy of Bell's replies regarding Amundsen and the position of Oslo, and relaying the opinions of the Syndicate members on the proposed price tariff. Bonner proposes that a directing committee be established on the basis of cooperation of the British, German and American partners. Requesting details of the 1926 lot assigned to Michigan.

(1930). University of North Carolina wish to participate in the Purchasing Syndicate. Bell responds that the issue of the tariff should be reconsidered, and discusses a potentially important set of fragments being offered by a private collector, possibly part of a codex of Deuteronomy. Discussion of 1930 prices exceeding the tariff, and the future of the Purchasing Syndicate. Bonner provides a brief description of the Deuteronomy fragments. Comments on the photographs of manuscripts supplied by Peterson. Sanders has arrived at Michigan to work on the Deuteronomy fragments. Michigan have funds available to purchase the Coptic paper manuscript, and a further $2000. Preferences of Michigan staff and other syndicate members for purchases. Bell's comments on the two lots of Greek papyri. Preference to allow Sit Herbert Thompson to bid for the Coptic book. Details of the negotiations with Nahman. Arrangements made for possible distribution or assignment of the proposed purchases from Nahman. Robert Garrett withdraws from the ongoing negotiation with Nahman.

(1931). Regarding continued negotiations with Nahman. Oriental Institute at Chicago are proposed purchaser for the Arabic papyri (Lot V). Competition with Maggs Brothers. Division between Columbia and Michigan to be decided. Details of distribution of papyri and prices paid.

The file closes with a number of letters from William Warner Bishop, Librarian at the University of Michigan, regarding arrangements for payment and shipping of papyri to Michigan, plus related letters, invoices and shipping declarations from the American Express Company, and the American Consular Service.