Description
HE WAS KNOWN FOR HIS STUDY OF HIEROGLYPHICS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS
SIR GASTON CAMILLE CHARLES MASPERO (1846-1916) SIGNED LETTER, “G. Maspero”, on a sheet 7 x 8.75, 22 July 1906, Cairo, by the French Egyptologist known for popularizing the term “Sea Peoples” and an associated migration theory in the late 19th century. He was an expert in Sanskrit and hieroglyphics and led the first excavation at Lisht that resulted in the discovery of the eroded Pyramid of Amenemhet 1, where in 1899, at Karnak, he unearthed a hoard of almost 17000 statues. Sir Maspero was also responsible for encouraging anti-looting laws and establishing a network of local museums throughout Egypt to encourage Egyptians to take greater responsibility for the maintenance of their heritage. He was the author of a 3-volume, History of the Near East, and other books. Of note, his work at the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities (originally the Bulak Museum) and the increasing work load of the Antiquities Service, led to an expansion of staff at the Museum, including the 17-year old Howard Carter. It was Maspero who recommended Howard Carter to George Herbert, 5th Earl of Carnarvon in 1907, when the Earl approached him to seek advice for the use of an expert to head his planned archaeological expedition to the Valley of the Kings, where in 1922 Carter discovered the tomb of King Tut. This letter is written to the “Counselor of the Ministry of Public Works, Cairo” and is in French, with full translation, in part: “…request you to give us the Ministerial Order as soon as possible that concerns the nomination of Mr. E. Galtier to the position of librarian of the museum….” In fine condition, with multiple hole punches along left side, and an Egyptian government stamp top right.
$225 #12873ZOR
