Manners and Customs of The Ancient Egyptians, Including their private life, Government, Laws, Arts, Manufactures, Religion, and Early History; Derived from a Comparison of the paintings, sculptures and monuments still existing, with accounts of ancient authors. Illustrated by Drawings of those Subjects. In Three Volumes.

WILKINSON, J.G

Published by John Murray, London, 1878

About this Item

Publisher?s decorative black cloth with gilt lettering and decorations to spines and gilt pictorial vignettes to front boards with blind embossed paneling. Brown endpapers. In bright near fine condition. The best edition of this keystone work of British Egyptology, carefully revised by Samuel Birch. Volume 1 - Ends of spine and corners bumped and rubbed. Glue repair to front endpaper bindings. Rear bindings slightly cracked. Spine split down rear edge. Some foxing spots to endpapers and outer page edges. Bookplate to front endpapers. Some markings to endpapers. Volume 2 - Ends of spine and corners bumped and slightly rubbed. Some foxing spots to endpapers and outer page edges. Bookplate to front endpapers. Volume 3 - Ends of spine and corners bumped and rubbed. Some foxing spots to endpapers and outer page edges. Bookplate to front endpapers. Some markings to endpapers. Else overall very clean tight copies. 3 vols. 510, 415 & 528pp. Illustrated with 17 engraved plates; 8 of which are colored, some plates folding, and many smaller B&W figures within text. Manners and Customs of the Ancient Egyptians endures as a ?standard work? in the field: in it, ?the statements of ancient writers about Egypt, together with the results of modern excavations and researches conducted by the author and others, were lucidly arranged, explained in a fascinating style, and richly illustrated with plans, engravings and colored plates. Wilkinson?s remarkable acquaintance with botany, zoology and the technique of the arts, together with his command of ancient literature, gave him unique qualifications for the treatment of this subject; and it was acknowledged that he had brought to light many new facts connected with Egyptian manners, history and religion. The work brought the author into general notice, both as a savant and as a popular writer; and on 26 Aug. 1839 a knighthood was conferred on him by Melbourne?s administration in recognition of his services to literature, public attention having been previously called to the fact that his research, unlike those of Champollion, Rosellini and others, had received no assistance from government? (DNB). A beautiful set now housed in a custom green slipcase.

Seller Inventory # 725

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Manners and Customs of The Ancient Egyptians, Including their private life, Government, Laws, Arts, Manufactures, Religion, and Early History; Derived from a Comparison of the paintings, sculptures and monuments still existing, with accounts of ancient authors. Illustrated by Drawings of those Subjects. In Three Volumes.
• Publisher: John Murray, London
• Publication Date: 1878
• Language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 2nd Edition
• Condition: Very Good