[Egyptology] - A collection of letters regarding the Tomb of Tutankhamun Signed P. Lacau, C.C.

[Egyptology] - A collection of letters regarding the Tomb of Tutankhamun Signed P. Lacau, C.C. Edgar, and others C.65 letters, the majority relating to photography reproduction permissions of the objects found in Tutankhamun's tomb, with a few requesting permission to create reproductions of objects, many of the letters are rebuttals to these requests from C.C. Edgar, signed by him; 21 letters and documents, signed P. Lacau, A. Gaulthier and others, regarding permission to visit the pyramids, predominantly relating to visits by representatives of the School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine; The New York Times. Sunday, February 25, 1923, 8pp. photogravure picture section with the photographs of Tutankhamun's tomb to the front page Qty: (Quantity) Note: Campbell Cowan Edgar was a Scottish archaeologist and Egyptologist, keeper and secretary-general of the Cairo Museum from 1925-1927. Many of the letters here are either addressed to Edgar, requesting permission to reproduce photographs of the artefacts from King Tutankhamun's tomb. Unfortunately for the senders, Edgar is obliged to refuse these requests, explaining that only Howard Carter could grant permission (lot 127 contains several letters to Carter with his signature granting permission for photographic reproduction). The photography rights for the photographs of the opening of the tomb in fact belonged to the New York Times. In November 1922, Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon opened the tomb but neglected to organise for a photographer to be present. Upon realising their oversight, they quickly 'borrowed' Harry Burton, staff photographer for the New York Metropolitan Museum Expedition, who was working nearby. Thus, the iconic photographs of the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb were taken to the United States of America and first appeared in the New York Times, as can be seen here.