Descripción
First editions, first impressions, of Carter's popular account of one of the most spectacular archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. This handsome set retains the illustrated dust jackets, and volume I is in the uncommon publisher's presentation binding, the front cover of which bears the scarab device on a leather background. Carter began his association with the Earl of Carnarvon in 1909 and convinced him to gain a concession for the Valley of the Kings in 1914. While many believed that there was nothing of importance left in the valley to be discovered, Carter thought otherwise. In the summer of 1922, Carter persuaded Carnarvon to allow him one more campaign and, starting work earlier than usual, he opened up the stairway to the tomb of Tutankhamun on 4 November 1922. Carnarvon hurried to Luxor and entered the tomb on 26 November. "The discovery astounded the world: a royal tomb, mostly undisturbed, full of spectacular objects. Carter recruited a team of expert assistants to help him in the clearance of the tomb, and the conservation and recording of its remarkable contents. On 16 February 1923 the blocking to the burial chamber was removed, to reveal the unplundered body and funerary equipment of the dead king. Unhappily, the death of Lord Carnarvon on 5 April seriously affected the subsequent progress of Carter's work. In spite of considerable and repeated bureaucratic interference, not easily managed by the short-tempered excavator, work on the clearance of the tomb proceeded slowly but was not completed until 1932. Carter handled the technical processes of clearance, conservation, and recording with exemplary skill and care" (ODNB). The discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb unleashed a global passion for ancient Egypt. This was fuelled further by the death of Lord Carnarvon from blood poisoning, thought to be the "mummy's curse" for disturbing a mummy, especially a pharaoh. Provenance: bookplate of Henry Seymour Berry, 1st Baron Buckland (1877-1928), on the front pastedown of volume I. 3 vols, large octavo. Halftone photographic frontispiece in each vol., 186 similar plates (many recto and verso), taken from photographs by Harry Burton. Original brown fine diagonally ribbed cloth, spines and front covers lettered in gilt, gilt scarab-and-sun-disc device on black ground on front covers, the ground consisting of onlaid brown sheep on vol. I, pictorial endpapers. With dust jackets. Bookseller's label of Boileau & Caloghiris of Cairo on front pastedown of vol. II and III. Small dent to spine of vol. I, vol. II with gilt on front board tarnished and rear inner hinge starting, some toning or foxing throughout; jackets of vol. I and II without prices as issued, vol. III unclipped, lightly soiled, minor chips or tears along edges, creases to front panel of vol. II and III: a very good set in like jackets. N° de ref. del artículo 167464
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