Ural Federal University Researcher Restores Old Elizabeth Bible In Ekaterinburg History Museum

Ekaterinburg History Museum restored a rare edition of the Bible dated 1751. Within seven years the unique folio was being restored. The book was restored by Nadezhda Scherbakova, Restorer and Researcher of the Academic and Research Laboratory of Archeographic Studies of the Ural Federal University, Elena Orlova, Restoration Artist of the Sverdlovsk Regional Museum of Local Lore, Restorer of the Belinsky Library.

The rare folio is 271 years old and weighs about six kilograms. In 1997, the Bible was brought to the museum by a local resident. The ancient manuscript was in a very poor condition. The cover, which was made of oak boards covered with calfskin, was cracked. The first and the last pages were poorly preserved. There was mold on the linen paper and some pages were held together with scotch tape. However, the book remained in such a deplorable condition for 18 years.

Initially, Peter the Great ordered that the Bible be translated from Greek and published in Church Slavonic. Empress Elizabeth completed the work begun by her father. On December 18, 1751, 1,200 copies of the Elizabeth Bible were published.

The Elizabeth Bible is a book monument that is protected by the state. Visitors to the museum will be able to see the rare book this year, when a special showcase with special temperature conditions will be made.