Matenadaran fails to acquire Samuelian collection

PanARMENIAN.Net - Matenadaran has been unsuccessful in acquiring the symbolic collection of the Eastern Bookstore founded by Hrant Samuelian, which is up for auction in Paris on June 12. This collection includes dozens of rare manuscripts and books from various periods. Although the leadership of the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts expressed interest in purchasing the items, their efforts have not yielded results, according to Matenadaran’s public relations head, Emma Horopyan.

Horopyan explained that Matenadaran tried for a long time to reach out to the relevant parties to discuss removing the items from auction for a direct sale. However, the attempt failed because the auction regulations do not permit such an arrangement, reports Armenpress.

"The website currently lists starting prices, and direct sale offers were considered unacceptable by those in charge, expecting prices to multiply during the auction. Another issue is that registering for the auction, both from Armenia and abroad, has caused significant technical difficulties. The Matenadaran administration even tried to register via the Armenian Embassy in France. Many of our sources close to Matenadaran also tried to participate but faced serious technical problems," said Horopyan.

She added that Matenadaran is actively working, especially with the private sector, to acquire all Armenian manuscripts in the collection, emphasizing that repatriating these volumes is their primary mission.

Founded in 1930, Hrant Samuelian’s Eastern Bookstore (Librairie Orientale Hrant Samuelian) was, in the eyes of experts and scholars, more than just a bookstore. It served as a quiet sanctuary of Armenian thought—a rare place where Armenian literature continued to endure despite distances and the passage of time.