Two remarkables about great discoveries

It is remarkable how often really great discoveries, particularly of documents, are made casually by people who have no idea of what they have found. And it is further remarkable how, the initial discovery having been made, the same sequence of events then follows: the material is carried about from pillar to post, shown to anyone who could not possibly know anything about it, and ultimately bought for a very small sum as a speculation. It is not until the material has been seriously diminished by frequent incompetent handling that it reaches the hands of a person who can appreciate its true value.

Lankester Harding, DJD 1, 3

(Årstein)