Contact: Sandra Hindman, 773-929-5986

LONDON, June 15, 2015 /Christian Newswire/ -- The second most expensive Gospel Book ever sold at public auction after the Gospels of Henry the Lion in 1983 went under the hammer today at Christie's in London. The Carolingian "Gospels of Queen Theutberga" written in c. 825-850 was bought by Les Enluminures Ltd. for just over three million dollars for The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Representing Les Enluminures in the rooms, Dr. Christopher de Hamel, who oversaw the sale of the Gospels of Henry the Lion at Sotheby's more than three decades ago, has known this Carolingian manuscript since 1975. Dr. de Hamel remarks that the present manuscript is in "unbelievable condition and of noble provenance; it is difficult to imagine finding another ninth-century manuscript in such a flawless state."

Gospel Books include the complete biblical text of each of the four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Throughout the Middle Ages, Gospel Books were considered the physical embodiment of the Word of God. Public reading of the Gospels was part of the church's liturgy from the earliest days of Christianity. Owner of Les Enluminures, Sandra Hindman states: "Early Gospel Books are of the utmost rarity."

Les Enluminures specializes in the sale of medieval and Renaissance illuminated manuscripts. Located in Paris, New York, and Chicago, Les Enluminures opened originally in Paris in 1991. Today it manages three locations with nearly a dozen employees, exhibits throughout the world at the most celebrated art fairs, and is active online with four different sites, including its portal site: www.lesenluminures.com.