"ONE OF THE MOST FASCINATING BOOKS IN THE WHOLE OF EGYPTIAN LITERATURE" (HOWARD CARTER): SUPERB FIRST EDITION OF BELZONI'S EXCAVATIONS IN EGYPT, 1820, WITH SCARCE ATLAS FOLIO VOLUME OF HAND-COLORED PLATES

BELZONI, Giovanni Battista. Narrative of the Operations and Recent Discoveries within the Pyramids, Temples, Tombs, and Excavations, in Egypt and Nubia. WITH: Plates Illustrative of the Researches and Operations of G. Belzoni. London: John Murray, 1820. Two volumes. Text volume: Quarto, contemporary full tan calf rebacked, with the original spine laid down, marbled endpapers. Plate volume: Slim atlas folio (19 by 23-1/2 inches), contemporary three-quarter brown calf gilt, rebacked and recornered, original green watered silk boards.

First edition of this riveting account of archaeological discovery by "the first man known to have excavated in the Valley of the Kings," with large folding map of the Nile region and scarce atlas folio comprised of 44 plates on 34 sheets (two folding), including 40 superb hand-colored illustrations (19 lithographs directly after Belzoni himself and 21 other fine engravings of Egyptian antiquities and views), and four uncolored topographical maps and plans. An exceptional copy in contemporary binding with stunning plates with very vivid color and in fine condition.

"Through his Gothic experiences in the mummy pits of Egypt… Belzoni made the mysteries of Pharoah a part of the popular culture of England… He was the first man known to have excavated in the Valley of the Kings" (Romer, 51). Former circus strongman, Giovanni Belzoni became one of the first and greatest archaeologists of Egypt. Funded by Henry Salt, British Consul in Egypt, Belzoni sailed to Thebes, where he unearthed and removed the colossal stone bust of Rameses II, and shipped it to England. His success prompted Salt to underwrite further investigations— at Edfu, Elephantine and Philae, Abu Simbel, Karnak, Giza and opening the sepulchre of Seti I. Upon his return to London, he arranged for the publication of his account "and also for an exhibition of his finds, casts, and drawings… [which] drew huge crowds" (Clayton, 42). The superb folio plate volume has been described as "the first English work of any importance to use lithography" (Blackmer). Egyptologist Howard Carter regarded Belzoni's work as "one of the most fascinating books in the whole of Egyptian literature" (Clayton, 43) and praised him as "one of the most remarkable men in the entire history of Archaeology." The plates in this copy bear the imprint "1820" and are printed on paper watermarked either 1818 or 1819. Abbey, Travel 268. Blackmer 116. Armorial bookplate of Sir Robert Johnson-Eden, 5th Baronet of West Auckland.

Light expert cleaning to first and last few leaves of scarce text volume. Front free endpaper of atlas volume expertly repaired. Atlas folio quite beautiful and fine, plate impressions crisp and colors vivid. A fine copy. Scarce complete.