Howard Carter's Tutankhamun papers to achieve $240,000?

An array of papers from Howard Carter's Tutankhamun discovery will auction on June 12

The remaining papers of Howard Carter, principally relating to his discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb, are to be sold at a Bonhams auction on June 12.

Do these items come with curse included?

The vast collection has been retained by the Carter family since the archaeologist's death in 1939. Among the more notable items in the single lot is a series of autographed typed drafts from Carter's book The Tomb of Tutankhamun.

The three-volume book stands as Carter's most definitive work on the subject, having never published a full scientific report. Despite discovering one of the world's most important archaeological finds, Bonhams describes Carter as writing with "brusqueness, impatience and off-putting manner". Nonetheless, the drafts offer a fascinating insight into the excavation and variations on the published text.

Carter's personal photographs from the unearthing will comprise a substantial part of the lot, including those sent to his mother during the excavation. Also featuring is Carter's personal correspondence case, a pair of Thermos flasks believed to have been used during the Tutankhamun discovery and a 100 foot leather-cased measuring tape.

Among the huge array of correspondence included in the lot are letters from "a fair number of eccentric or deranged correspondents" who were inspired by the tomb's supposed curse. Incidentally, Carter died naturally from lymphoma aged 64.

The collection will also offer papers from Carter's funeral service and the original tags that accompanied the floral tributes at his grave. The magnificent lot will go to auction with an estimate of £100,000-150,000.

Paul Fraser Collectibles currently has a fascinating selection of historical manuscripts in stock. Make sure you don't miss out on the results of this sale by checking back with us regularly.

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Images: Bonhams/Wikimedia