Howard Carter's personally-owned brown leather briefcase by Drew & Sons Ltd of Piccadilly Circus, boasting his initials monogrammed on top, "ↃHC," so as to be read in both directions. Carter's briefcase measures 16″ x 11″ x 5.75″, and has a built-in file folder system inside. In good to very good condition, with moderate to heavy wear to leather, and clean splits along the bottom panel such that the case is separated into two parts; the piece could likely be restored by an expert craftsman. A rather compelling object, likely to have accompanied the Egyptologist on some interesting journeys.
Provenance: Estate of Howard Carter, Bonhams, June 12, 2012; accompanied by a letter of provenance signed by Carter's great-great nephew, Jonathan Carter, certifying the briefcase as part of the Howard Carter archive that he inherited.