Rare Book Monthly
Book Catalogue Reviews - May - 2008 Issue
Egypt and the Sudan from Michael Graves-Johnston
From D’Athanasi’s Researches.
Sir William Peel was the son of a famous father, British Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel. Perhaps he would have achieved fame comparable to his father's were his life not cut so short. As a young man, he joined the Royal Navy, was given command of a ship at the age of 24, and rose to the rank of Captain. However, by 1850, there were no immediate prospects of a command, so Peel took a leave of absence. He then began exploring, first the Middle East, and next Africa. In 1851, he undertook a journey up the Nile and across the desert to Khartoum. He planned to go farther, but came down with a bad fever and was forced to return. Peel wrote about his adventure in A Ride Through The Nubian Desert, published in 1852. Having recovered, Peel rejoined the Royal Navy that year, and went off to win several awards for heroism during the Crimean War. Most spectacular was one for picking up a heavy shell, fuse burning, and heaving it back over a wall just in time. Peel was next sent to China, but was diverted to India during the Indian Mutiny. Peel was again wounded, and during his recovery contacted smallpox. He died of the disease in 1858, at age 33. Item 281. £375 (US $745).
Item 63 is A Brief Account of the Researches and Discoveries in Upper Egypt, made under the direction of Henry Salt, Esq. It was written by "Giovanno D'Athanasi," perhaps a slightly easier to pronounce pseudonym for his actual name, Demetrio Papandriopulo. D'Athanasi/Papandriopulo worked for Salt during the 1820s. The first part of this book recounts his experiences in Egypt, while the second part reproduces the 1835 Sotheby's catalogue which sold Salt's collection. This book was published the following year. £900 (US $1,784).
Michael Graves-Johnston may be reached at 020-7274-2069 or Books@Graves-Johnston.com, website www.Graves-Johnston.com.
