Catalogue Raisonné et Historique des Antiquités Découvertes en Égypte

Paris: Galerie D'Antiquites Egyptiennes, 1826. First Edition.. Original paper wrappers.. Fine.. 8vo, xv, [1 - blank], [1] - 303, [1 - blank] pp. + two folding lithographic plates.

An important collection, eventually the foundation of the Egyptian Museum in Berlin. Giuseppe Passalacqua was an Italian who originally had travelled to Egypt in order to trade in horses. At this he failed. He did, however, take up a side line in antiquities that succeeded. Between 1822 - 1825 he undertook several excavations at Thebes and amassed a collection of 1600 artifacts and manuscripts. He placed these on exhibition in Paris in 1826. Accompanying the exhibition (truncated) he published an elaborate thematic catalog (offered here). The catalog itself was an innovation. It provided detailed descriptions (noted experts of the day were contributors for the text of the catalog) of the objects and translations of hieroglyphs, seeking to sell the collection to the French government. Instead it drew the attention of Friederich Wilhelm III who purchased nearly all of it. Passalacqua was appointed 'keeper' of the antiquities once the collection was installed in Berlin. Blackmer II, 900; notably absent from Marchand, German Orientalism .... (Inventory #: 15035)