It is likely that this started with Bartholin, who, when he had to return to Iceland temporarily in 1685 because his father had died, ordered him to bring back every manuscript he could lay hands on, and then sent him to Norway and Lund in 1689–90 to collect more.
On tõenäoline, et see sai alguse Bartholinist, kes käskis Magnússonil, kui too naasis aastal 1685 seoses isa surmaga ajutiselt Islandile, tuua sealt kaasa iga käsikiri, mille ta vähegi kätte sai ning saatis ta seejärel ka aastatel 1689–1690 Norrasse ja Lundi, et neid veelgi juurde koguda.