Lot 1124
Hely-Hutchinson, John, 2nd Earl of Donoughmore (1757-1832), Manuscript Letter Signed as Commander of the 1801 Expedition to Egypt, one page, 8 x 12¼ "Head Quarters", September 13, 1801. To Edward D. Clarke referring to seizure of the Rosetta Stone from the French in Alexandria:
"I shall be very much obliged to you to copy the inscription from the stone. I send you the former copy which you say is inaccurate. Tell Colonel Turner that not only the stone but everything which we get from the French should be deposited in some place of security. I do not regard much the threats of the French savants, it is better however not to trust them. Have you heard of any more Coptic or Arabic manuscripts."
Some splitting along folds and sealed tears, paper inlay in left margin. Fine.
Estimate 1,000 - 1,500
FASCINATING DETAILS SHEDDING LIGHT ON THE BRITISH ACQUISITION OF THE FAMOUS ROSETTA STONE WHICH NOW RESIDES IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM.
Hely-Hutchinson took over command from Sir Ralph Abercromby, who died as a result of wounds at the second Battle of Abukir in March, 1801. French scholars carried the Rosetta Stone from Cairo to Alexandria under the escort of the retreating troops of de Menou. Hely-Hutchinson made seizure of the Rosetta Stone a precondition of the relief of Alexandria, which led to the French surrender. Edward Daniel Clarke was one of two British scholars sent to Egypt to check the French collection of historical artifacts, while Colonel Tomkyns Helgrove Turner brought the Rosetta Stone back to Britain. There are conflicting stories as to which one of these two persons was responsible for actually procuring the stone from the French.
|
| |
| Realized $2,100 |
