Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery given permission to use photos of Staffordshire Hoard to keep it in region
Official photographs and video clips of the greatest ever Anglo-Saxon archeological find can be exploited to boost the campaign to keep it in the West Midlands.
The British Museum, which is currently valuing the Staffordshire Hoard, has given Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery permission to sell official images of the treasure, as long as the cash goes into the fund to buy it and keep it on show in the region.
It is believed the pictures are of interest to both TV documentary makers and academic publishers and the first book to feature them could be on sale by Christmas.
When put on display last month the Hoard attracted unprecedented worldwide media attention and brought almost 65,000 visitors to the museum – three times the usual number.
It is thought the campaign, run by Birmingham and Stoke-on-Trent museums, will need to raise millions to buy the 1,500 items of the Anglo-Saxon treasure and set up a permanent exhibition.
City culture chief Martin Mullaney said: “The British Museum has been outstanding from day-one and the ongoing support and co-operation underlines our assertion that the Hoard belongs in the West Midlands.
“Worldwide interest in the Hoard is huge, so for the British Museum to agree that any fees generated through the use of images in commercial publications can go towards the acquisition fund is a real boost and a fantastic gesture.
“It is widely recognised that this outstanding collection belongs in the region and we continue to work with our partners to ensure the Hoard’s return.”
The Hoard went on display at the British Museum last week and campaign collection boxes were set up so Londoners could chip in.
The 7.5 kg haul, which dates back to approximately 700AD, is the largest amount of Anglo Saxon artefacts discovered in Britain.
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