The Tomb Of Tut.Ankh.Amen Carter, Howard Turkey, The Caucasus And Middle East

A complete set of the first editions, first printings of one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time. Large octavo volumes, bound in the original publisher's mid-brown full cloth, large gilt decoration of a scarab to each cover, gilt lettering to covers and spines, decorative endpapers. Complete, with xxiii + 231; xxxiv + 276; xvi + 248 pages. Frontispiece to each volume and 413 plates. Some slight rubbing to covers, crease to spine of volume 2 and front hinge of volume 2 also just starting. Otherwise very good. For Howard Carter, the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamen was the culmination of a thirty year obsession with ancient Egypt. After many barren years of excavations, Carter managed to persuade Lord Carnavon to continue the concession for just one more season. In late 1922, Carter began excavating the only remaining area on the floor of the valley: a small triangle in front of the tomb of Ramesses VI, left until then so as not to disrupt tourist access to the tomb. On 4 November 1922, Carter found the first rock-cut steps leading down to Tutankhamen's tomb and the following day wired Carnavon to announce his discovery. On 26 November, Carter, accompanied by Carnavon, broke into the tomb and gazed into the antechamber - one of the great moments in archaeological history: "At first I could see nothing, the hot air escaping from the chamber causing the candle to flicker, but presently, as my eyes grew accustomed to the light, details of the room emerged slowly from the mist, strange animals, statues and gold - everywhere the glint of gold. For the moment - an eternity it must have seemed to others standing by - I was struck dumb with amazement, and when Lord Carnavon, unable to stand the suspense any longer, inquired anxiously 'Can you see anything?', it was all I could do to get out the words 'Yes, wonderful things'."