The Book of the Dead. The Hieroglyphic Transcript of the Papyrus of ANI.
New York, NY: Bell, ND [circa 1980]. Reprint. Hardcover. Large octavo. [xiv] + xiv + 704pp. Navy blue cloth with gilt titling, b&w Illustrations and plates, index. Wallis Budge produced a number of studies of the Theban recension of The Book of the Dead based on the Papyrus of Ani, which despite having the same title, varied greatly depending on the edition. The first of these, was the magnificent folio facsimile of the papyrus - a massive work that has never been matched in terms of quality of reproduction or design. This was first published in 1890 by the British Museum, and was reprinted in 1894, at which time the trustees also issued a thick quarto volume, containing a detailed description of the papyrus, and an English translation, with notes, as well as a general Introduction detailing the history and context of the Book of the Dead. In 1913 a new edition of the work was sanctioned. Although of smaller format, it was still two hefty quarto volumes, the first of which contained the general Introduction, a full description of the Papyrus, plate by plate, and a colour facsimiles of the papyrus, in 37 folding plates. The second volume contains a transcript of the papyrus in hieroglyphic type, with English translations, notes, etc.and an Index. The translations of this had been rewritten, and the whole extensively revised on the basis of new material acquired during the previous two decades. The current work is essentially a single volume reprint, of the 1913 edition. It also includes an additional Preface, drawn from other writings by Budge. Sadly, but understandably, it omits the original folding colour plates, which are replaced by a selection of black and white photographs of somewhat mediocre quality. A bit rubbed overall with some chafing and bruising to extremities, edges and endpapers browned - pages toned, owner's seal on front blank. Still a tight, unmarked near VG copy (no dust jacket). Item #59798
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