British archaeologist and Egyptologist (1874–1939) whose discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun in Egypt’s ‘Valley of the Kings’ proved to be one of the signal events in the history of archaeology. TLS signed in pencil, “H. C.,” two pages, 8.25 x 10.5, Luxor letterhead, January 30, 1930. Letter to H. E. Hareld de Bildt, the Swedish minister to Cairo. In part: “Re lectures at Stockholm…I shall be most pleased to give one or more to the Swedish-British Society of Stockholm…My proposed lectures will comprise two: ‘The Discovery of the Tomb of Tutankhamen,’ and ‘The Royal Burial and contents of the Innermost Chambers’…On my part I will bring all slides (English size) necessary, but would ask only that a competent operator with adequate lantern be secured.” Carter adds a number of pencil corrections in his own hand throughout the letter. In fine condition.
Carter had discovered King Tut’s tomb on November 4, 1922, and his excavation of it continued throughout the next decade until well after this letter in 1932. The burial chamber was opened in February 1923, and the granite lid of the sarcophagus was not raised until the following year, on February 12, 1924, revealing the now-iconic solid gold funerary mask over King Tut’s mummy. This discovery was tremendously important in the archaeological world as one of the most well-preserved tombs ever discovered, and public fascination with the artifacts and treasure within spawned a cultural phenomenon within the Western world. Material from Howard Carter is very scarce, and letters discussing his discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb are of the utmost desirability. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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