Ancient Alphabets and Hieroglyphic Characters Explained; with an Account of the Egyptian Priests, their Classes, Initiation and Sacrifices, in the Arabic Language and in English by Joseph Hammer

Ahamad bin Abuekr bin Wahshih

Published by W Bulmer for G. and W. Nicol, London, 1806

About this Item

Ibn Wahshiyya, Ahmed ibn Abu Bakr (fl. 9th 10th centuries). Ancient alphabets and hieroglyphic characters explained . . . in the Arabic language . . . and in English by Joseph Hammer. [2], xxi, [3], 54, [2], 136pp.; the last 136pp. numbered in reverse. Text illustrations. London: Printed by W. Bulmer; sold by G. and W. Nicol, 1806. 211 x 165 mm. Original quarter cloth, boards, paper spine label, front inner hinge broken, light edgewear. Minor foxing and toning but very good. First Edition in English of Kitab Shawq al-Mustaham, a ninth-century work on ancient writing systems by Arabic alchemist Ibn Wahshiyya. Ibn Wahshiyya claimed to have been able to decipher many ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic signs, identifying their phonetic values and meanings. Some modern scholars support Ibn Wahshiyya s claims, crediting him with anticipating Champollion and Young by 800 years; others are more skeptical, arguing that Ibn Wahshiyya s understanding of Egyptian hieroglyphics did not go beyond the general concept that hieroglyphic signs had phonetic as well as symbolic values. The present book includes both Arabic and English versions of Ibn Wahshiyya s text. Since Arabic is read from right to left, the Arabic section, which comes at the end of the book, is paginated in reverse. The English translation was the work of Joseph Hammer (later von Hammer-Purgstall), an Austrian scholar who was then serving as secretary to the imperial delegation in Constantinople. .

Seller Inventory # 43267

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Ancient Alphabets and Hieroglyphic Characters Explained; with an Account of the Egyptian Priests, their Classes, Initiation and Sacrifices, in the Arabic Language and in English by Joseph Hammer
• Publisher: W Bulmer for G. and W. Nicol, London
• Publication Date: 1806
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition