Large Egyptian Expedition Lithograph Print of Thebes
1820 A.D. Phillipeaux - Thebes - Medynet-Abou. Combat Naval sculpte sur la face exterieure du palais exposee au nord - Proof etching on laid paper of plate 10 from La Description de l’Egypte: Antiquites, Volume II: Commission des sciences et arts d’Egypte with later backing sheet. 375 grams, 130.5 x 67 cm (51 1/4 x 26 1/2 in.).

From the collection of a North American priest. Acquired between 1981-1996. Property of a North American collector.

Produced between February 1802 and 1830 on the orders of Napoleon Bonaparte; published between 1809 and 1828. Just 1,000 copies were distributed to various institutions, printed on on laid paper with an 'Egypte ancienne et moderne' watermark. The book is subtitled Recueil des observations et des recherches qui ont été faites en Égypte pendant l’expédition de l’Armee française, publie par les ordres de Sa Majeste l’Empereur Napoleon le Grand (Gathering of observations and discoveries which were made in Egypt during the expedition of the French army, published on the orders of His Majesty the Emperor Napoleon the Great). It was the world's first encyclopaedia devoted exclusively to the remains of ancient Egypt. The plates of this book are the first to present the archaeological sites of Thebes (Luxor). The frieze is from the palace wall of Meninet - Abou. For this specific lot, 5% import VAT is applicable on the hammer price