MASPERO’S FAMED HISTORY OF EGYPT, ILLUSTRATED WITH HUNDREDS OF PLATES, HANDSOMELY BOUND SET

MASPERO, Gaston Camille Charles, and RAPPOPORT, A.S. History of Egypt, Chaldea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria. London: The Grolier Society, (1903-06). Thirteen volumes. Royal octavo, publisher's three-quarter green morocco, raised bands, elaborately gilt-decorated spines with red morocco onlays, top edges gilt, uncut. $12,000.

Deluxe limited “Connoisseur Edition” of this esteemed history of Egypt and the Middle East, number 82 of only 200 copies printed on Japan vellum and richly illustrated with over 1200 plates and in-text illustrations, including dozens of fine gravures in double-suite and 26 finely hand-colored plates, including the frontispiece of each volume. Very handsomely bound.

The principal work of this set is an English translation of Maspero's Histoire ancienne des peuples de l'Orient classique (1895), here translated in nine volumes. Three volumes are dedicated to Rappoport's three-volume History of Egypt from 330 BC to the modern era. With the supplemental 13th volume History of Egypt in the Light of Recent Discovery by King and Hall, often not present. In these 13 richly illustrated volumes, Maspero and Rappoport present an intimate acquaintance with the history of Egypt and the Nile Valley, Assyria and Babylonia, as well as the literature and culture of these regions. The illustrations offer a comprehensive picture of Egyptian culture, depicting early forms of writing and painting, ancient relief sculpture and statuary, pottery and weaponry, and other cultural artifacts. Also with plans of the ancient cities, diagrams of royal tombs and numerous maps of historic sites. Issued simultaneously in three limited editions.

Plates and text fine, spines toned to brown. A few volumes with joint and spine ends expertly repaired, supplemental volume rebacked with original spine laid down.