Archive Of Signed Letters By Gaston Maspero, The Noted Nineteenth Century French Egyptologist: “These Images Give Us Valuable Information By Showing Us Precisely In What Condition The Monuments Of Upper And Middle Egypt Were Found Some Fifty Years Ago”

GASTON MASPERO (1846-1916). Maspero was the leading French Egyptologist of his generation and known for popularizing the term “sea peoples.” This archive consists of thirteen letters written by Gaston Maspero during the first decade of the twentieth century. From 1881-1914, Maspero was the director-general of excavations and of the antiquities of Egypt. He helped pioneer the French Institute for Oriental Archaeology in Cairo, which still exists today as a center for the study of archaeology, history, and languages of ancient Egyptian civilizations. Notable actions during his tenure included the discovery of the eroded Pyramid of Amenemhet I, the clearing of the Luxor Temple, and properly dating the Great Sphinx. Thus, this archive would be significant to any Egyptologist or student of the modern Middle East. Six of the letters are written in French and seven are written in Arabic. Most are hand-written, though a few are typed. Here is a sampling of the French letters: 1) TLS. 1pg. November 14, 1906. Cairo. A typed letter signed “G Maspero” addressed to The Counselor of the Ministry of Public Works: “Mr. Counselor, Following up on your communication of this 7 November No. 7629 A.K., I have the honor to inform you that, having taken note of the proposals formulated by the Executive Committee, I have determined that the third of the proposed schemes would be best suited to rebuilding the staff of our Department. Please accept, Mr. Counselor, the assurance of my profound respect. The Director General. G Maspero The Counselor of the Ministry of Public Works Cairo”. The letter has a few file holes on the left side and markings from a rubber stamp. 2) TLS. 2pgs. March 19, 1907. Cairo. A typed letter signed “G Maspero” written on “Executive Office Of The Antiquities Department” stationery. Maspero wrote to the Counselor of the Ministry of Public Works: “Mr. Counselor, The Committee on Egyptology, at its session of the 13th of this month, authorized me to purchase from the widow Madame Beato a certain number of photographic plates that had been produced by the late Beato, the well-known photographer. These images give us valuable information by showing us precisely in what condition the monuments of Upper and Middle Egypt were found some fifty years ago, and they deserve to be preserved at the Museum where we have already begun an important collection of images of the same type. I therefore write to ask, Mr. Counselor, provided you have no objection to this acquisition, that you kindly direct the Ministry of Finance so that we may settle its price which, on the basis of 158 plates at 60 piastres each, and 150 plates at 40 piastres each, amounts to 154,800 Egyptian Pounds, to be paid from our extrabudgetary account (publications). Please accept, Mr. Counselor, the assurance of my profound respect. The Director General, G Maspero”. The letter has punch holes in the left margin and markings from a rubber stamp. 3) LS. 1pg. June 5, 1900. Giza. A signature “G Maspero” approving a request; he signed as The Director General of the Antiquities Department. The French states: “Mr. Director General, I request that you kindly grant me three and a half months’ leave to go abroad, beginning this 13 July. Please accept, Mr. Director General, the expression of my most faithful regards. G. Daressy.” The letter has a vignette of the Egyptian government in the upper left, a few file holes in the left margin and a stain, perhaps from a previous attachment. All are in fine condition, with occasional minor folds and stains. (Inventory #: 6074)