Aramaic Papyri Discovered at Assuan
London: Alexander Moring Ltd., 1906. First edition. Hardcover. Elephant folio (19 1/4 x 14"). 79, [1]pp (Text), [27] loose leaves (Plates), as issued. Original 3/4 cloth over blue paper covered portfolio, with title label to front cover. String ties. Photo-illustrated title page.
First edition of this monograph on the ten Aramaic papyri discovered by a team of workmen engaged in constructing a short line of railway, near Assuan, at the turn of the century.
The 5th century BC papyri bring into light a remote corner of the ancient Semitic world, and reveal the internal life of a Jewish community in the small island of Elephantine in the river Nile.
"In the spring of 1904 they were acquired by Robert Mond, and by Lady William Cecil, the former obtaining papyri C, D, F, H, J, and took part of G, which are now in the Cairo Museum, and the latter B, E, K, and the other part of G. A and L belonging to the Bodleian Library and procured earlier, are of the same class.
The papyri are reproduced in 27 plates of b/w photographic reproductions, and are all published with transliterations and translations by Arthur E. Cowley in a remarkable treatise under the editorship of A. H. Sayce." (For more information, see: R. H. Mode's "The Assuan Aramaic Papyri" in "The Biblical World," Vol. 29, No. 4 (April 1907), pp. 305-309).
Age-toning and rubbing along edges of portfolio. Spine missing. Front cover detached but present. Ex-library bookplate on inside of front cover, and reference sticker on front cover of text booklet. Age-toning to front cover of booklet. Portfolio in overall poor to fair, interior in good to very good condition. f to vg. Item #43649
Price: $125.00