Descrizione

Rare, the first French edition, one of only 300 copies printed. With 5 folding lithographic plates, lacking folding frontis. 8vo, in a handsome French binding of quarter black morocco over marbled boards, the spine with blind tooled compartments between gilt ruled raised bands, one compartment finely gilt lettered, additional gilt decorations at both tips. (4), ix, 70 pp. A fine and handsome copy of this rare work, as is always the case there is some light foxing and general toning due to the paper stock used. The binding is in very fine condition.

Edizione: the rare first french edition of salt's essay on dr. young's and champollion's system of deciphering the hieroglyphics of ancient egypt. salt was appointed british consul general of egypt in 1816. once set up in cairo, he began to work on his mission of securing antiquities and artifacts for the british museum. salt was able to foster beneficial relations between the british government and pasha mohammed ali negotiating deals concerning trade and territorial rights. he also sponsored the excavations of thebes and abu simbel, personally carrying out significant archaeological research at the pyramids of giza and the sphinx. he earned praise from jean-françois champollion for his ability to decipher hieroglyphs.