Sold For $303
*Includes Buyers Premium
British historian and archaeologist (1817-1894) best known as the excavator of Nimrud and Nineveh, where he uncovered a large proportion of the Assyrian palace reliefs. ALS signed “A. H. Layard,” four pages on two adjoining sheets, 4.5 x 7, May 3, 1884. Handwritten letter to a friend, commenting on European cities and on British policy in Egypt. In part: "Our Egyptian policy is as injurious to the credit and reputation of England as it is to her interests. There are only two ways of getting out of our difficulties, & the Gov't does not appear to be inclined to take either. We must either make up our own minds to take the administration of the country into our hands and be responsible for it, or we must come to terms with the so-called 'national party,' and let them govern the country upon Egyptian & oriental lines, keeping a proper & adequate check upon them and giving them the necessary military support until the administration of Egypt, which is now thrown into utter disorder, is reorganised. But then we require a first-rate man at Cairo—who is thoroughly supported…possessed of real power & influence, with sufficient self-restraint not to exercise them too openly…We have gone from blunder to blunder in Egypt. The men and measures we have employed show a total ignorance of the requirements of an Eastern people and of their habits, modes of thought and desires." In fine condition.
From the personal collection of a lifelong collector, teacher, and traveler with a passion for world history. His collecting years ranged from the 1970s to the present day, meaning that several of the premier pieces have not been on the market in decades.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
(inquire for price)
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
