August 2014 Auction Ends Thursday, August 28th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/28/2014
Typed letter from the Legation of the United States of America to an Egyptian government official, Hamid Soliman Pasha, Minister of Public Works, regarding King Tut's tomb. The diplomat who writes the letter asks for access to the tomb for a VIP list including several U.S. Congresspeople and their guests, and not so subtly stresses the critical nature of U.S. tourism to Egypt. The issue of who was permitted in the tomb over the course of the excavation became a bone of contention between lead excavator Howard Carter and the Egyptian government; when one official banned nearly everyone including the wives of the excavation team, Carter took offense, temporarily abandoning the excavation. Upon official stationery, correspondence dated 18 January 1924 reads in part, "Excellency: Rumors are current that on a certain day of each week the tomb of Tut-ankh-amen will be open for inspection of tourists traveling in Egypt, who are sufficiently important to be recommended by their respective Legations. I have refrained from troubling your excellency with the many requests which have come to me from Americans visiting Egypt, for permission to visit this famous tomb, asking admission only for those connected with newspapers and magazines, but if the above mentioned rumor is true, or it is possible to enter the tomb of Tut-ankh-amen, I should be grateful if permission might be given to the following persons: Hon. Frederick Hicks, ex-congressman…and his daughter and Miss Williams…I cannot refrain in this connection to call your Excellency's attention to the fact that the tourist travel in Egypt is, as your Excellency knows, very largely dependent upon the American people, and by reason of the revenue which the people of my Government bring to Egypt, it would appear that the greatest consideration be given them." Unsigned letter runs 1pp. and measures 8" x 12.5". Toning, creasing and pinholes to upper left corner, else near fine.
1924 Letter Regarding King Tut's Tomb -- The U.S. Government Writes ''...Rumors are...the tomb of Tut-ankh-amen will be open for inspection of tourists...''
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