Bidspirit auction | CARTER HOWARD: (1874-1939)

CARTER HOWARD: (1874-1939) - CARTER HOWARD: (1874-1939) English archaeologist and Egyptologist who discovered the Tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922. Autograph draft of a letter, signed with his initials H.C. , two pages, folio, n.p. (London), 3rd September 1929, to Edward Denison Ross. Carter´s draft is composed at the foot of a T.L.S. by Denison Ross to Carter ( ´My dear Carter´ ) dated 9th August 1929, on the printed stationery of the School of Oriental Studies, London Institution (University of London). Denison Ross writes, in part, ´King Fuad of Egypt has invited me to help him in the production of a large volume descriptive of the Art of Egypt from the earliest times down to the end of the nineteenth century. The volume will contain upwards of 300 full-page illustrations and the letter press is to be contributed entirely by English experts, and the King is anxious to have a large number of contributors. I am, therefore, venturing to ask whether you would be so good as to contribute about 1,500 words on the Art of Tut-Ankh-Amon´s reign. The remuneration offered is 10 guineas a thousand words......Do you think 24 illustrations would be a suitable allotment to this subject?......I shall be much pleased if you can see your way to doing this; I feel it is important that the King of Egypt should wish to produce such a book, entirely written by English scholars´ . Carter´s draft, in bold pencil, states that he has only just returned from his holidays and found Denison Ross´s letter at the Constitutional Club, continuing ´I shall be very pleased to contribute as you suggest ”about 1500 words on the art of Tut-Ankh-Amon´s Reign” towards King Fuad´s proposed production of a vol. descriptive of the Art of Egypt. With regard to plates and the kind of text required I should much like to consult you. As there must be other authors writing upon the different periods it would seem essential that the contributions be uniform as possible´ and adding that he had telephoned that morning but found that Denison Ross was away. Some creasing and a few tears to the edges, G Edward Denison Ross (1871-1940) British orientalist and linguist, the first director of the University of London´s School of Oriental Studies from 1916-37.