British archaeologist and Egyptologist (1874–1939) whose 1922 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. Over the next several years, the excavation of the tomb, personally supervised by Carter, yielded a fabulous hoard of artifacts (including a life-sized, solid gold sarcophagus) whose intrinsic value was matched by the wealth of historical data the treasures provided. Hailed by some as a hero, Carter’s legacy has emerged as somewhat more complex and clouded by allegations of questionable archaeological practices and outright theft of artifacts from the tomb. His death from lymphoma at the age of 64 helped sustain the legend of a “Curse of the Pharaohs” that supposedly befell those who had disturbed the tomb (including Carter’s sponsor and benefactor, Lord Carnarvon, who died of infection from a mosquito bite in 1923). Scarce signed book: The Tomb of Tut•Ankh•Amen: Volume II. First edition, first printing. London: Cassell and Company, Ltd., 1927. Hardcover, 6.75 x 9.5, 277 pages. Signed in ink on the half-title page “Howard Carter, 1930.” In very good condition, with bumping to corners and light rubbing to extremities, front hinge cracked but still attached, scattered mild foxing to interior (including signed page, slightly touching signature), and light soiling to edges. All autograph material of Carter is rather elusive; items related to his most notable discovery are of the greatest scarcity and desirability. R&R COA.
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