Földvári Books

Association Copy - With Schliemann’s Signed Portrait and Holograph Letter to Edmund Clarence Stedman

Schliemann, Heinrich

[Autograph Letter and Signed Photographic Portrait.] Mycenæ. A Narrative of Researches and Discoveries at Mycenæ and Tiryns. by Dr. Henry Schliemann, […].

New York: Scribner, Armstrong & Company, 1878. First American edition. Association copy. With the graphical bookplate of Edmund Clarence Stedman on the front pastedown. With Schliemann’s one-page holograph letter in ink on blue paper (136 × 219 mm), together with a cut-out article, mounted on the verso of the frontispiece (Plate V). With the signed photographic portrait of Schliemann (62 × 106 mm) mounted on the verso of the second additional endpaper. With numerous black-and-white text illustrations. In publisher’s maroon cloth, with embossed, gilt, silver, and black title and decorations on the cover and the spine. Beveled edges. Upper edge gilt. lxviii, 384 p., and 21 black-and-white plates (I–XXI), 4 color plates (A–D) and 8 maps (A,B,BB,C–G), many folding. Corners somewhat bumped. Cover rubbed here and there. Spine moderately sunned, with small damage at the tail and the head. Ownership inscription on first additional endpaper in pencil. Pages yellowed due to acidic paper. Overall in fine condition.

Edmund Clarence Stedman’s copy of the German archaeologist, Heinrich Schliemann’s (1822–1890) 1878 book about his archaeological works in Mycenae and Tiryns, with Schliemann’s signed portrait and holograph letter to Stedman.

In his letter, written in Athens on 15 February 1877, Schliemann thanks the American poet and essayist, Edmund Clarence Stedman (1833–1908) for his article, discussing the literary importance of his discoveries. Being a poet and a literary man, Schliemann’s excavations at the ancient sites of Troy and Mycenae beard extraordinary significance for Stedman, as they proved the historicity of places mentioned in the works of Homer, and “the general historic truth of the Iliad and Odyssey”. Mounted on Schliemann’s letter, there is also a part of an article, possibly published in the New York Daily News, which investigates the origin of the Manisa relief (confusing it with the “Weeping Rock” rock formation, which is actually associated with the mythological figure of Niobe) and its possible literary references in Sophocles’ Antigone.

Schliemann states in his letter that “the appreciation of my labours by the great American people is the noblest and most flattering reward I can wish for”. In order to express his gratitude, he also enclosed his signed visiting card to the letter, which is mounted on the opposite page of the book.

Provenance: Edmund Clarence Stedman’s graphical bookplate of on the front pastedown. Sold at Andersons at the Stedman Sale on January 1911.

Bibliography: Stedman, Edmund Clarence: Treasure-Tombs at Mykenæ. New-York Daily Tribune. January 13, 1877. 3.

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Price: €6,000.00