December 2014 Auction Ends Tuesday, December 16th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/16/2014
Letter from the Egyptian government outlining protocol for the opening of King Tut's sarcophagus. Howard Carter discovered the tomb of King Tut in 1922 and conducted its entire excavation and emptying of artifacts, which were transported to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, a vast undertaking completed over the course of 8 years. Here, on 12 January 1924 as the excavation nears the piece de resistance, the actual sarcophagus containing King Tut's mummy, the Minster of Public Works in Egypt, Abdul Hamid Soliman, writes to the Director General of the Antiquities Department, Pierre Lacau, forbidding even one opening of the sarcophagus unless Soliman is present. Typed letter with the stamp signature of Abdul Hamid Soliman reads in full, ''Sir, In continuation of my conversation with you on the 6th inst. please instruct Mr. Carter and Mr. Engelbach [Rex Engelbach, English Egyptologist and Cairo Museum staffer] that the stone sarcophagus of Tutankh-Amen is not to be opened for the first time except in my presence. When the removal of the outer sarcophagus has so progressed as to enable the opening of the stone one to be proceeded with, work should be stopped and the matter reported so that I can proceed to Luxor. A week's notice of the probable date should be given. I understand H.E. the Prime Minister will preside the official opening of the sarcophagus and that is why a week's notice is absolutely necessary. When Messrs. Englebach & Carter have acknowledged receipt of your orders please let me know''. Exactly one month after this letter was written, the granite top piece was removed, but the actual mummy was housed in the innermost of several nesting coffins; it wasn't exposed until 28 October 1925. Single-page letter measures 8.25'' x 13''. Wear to edges and a hand note reading ''Spare copy'' at top, else near fine.
Egyptian Government Letter Pertaining to the Climactic Highlight of the Excavation of King Tut's Tomb -- Mandating Archaeologists to Stop & Notify Officials Before Opening The Sarcophagus
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