Lot 08073

[Αρπαγή Καρυάτιδας της Ελευσίνας & Μαρμάρων του Παρθενώνα]

CLARKE Edward Daniel, “Greek Marbles Brought from the Shores of the Euxine, Archipelago, and Mediterranean, and Deposited in the Vestibule of the Public Library of the University of Cambridge”, Cambridge, Printed by order of the Syndics of Press, 1809. FIRST AND ONLY EDITION. pp. 81. Complete including all four plates.

[BOUND WITH]

[Earl of ELGIN, HAMILTON William] “Memorandum on the subject of the Earl of Elgin’s pursuits in Greece”, Second edition corrected, John Murray, London, 1815. Second edition, pp.100.

The copy of the Welsh writer and academic Richard Crawley, best known for his translation of Thucydides’s History of the Peloponnesian War, as the author’s handwritten dedication on free endpaper suggests.

The first book is an extremely rare account of Edward Daniel Clarke with a description of 38 numbered artefacts (Steles, fragments, epigraphs, statues & statues fragments, columns, architectural remains), all removed from Greece (Athens, Paros, Delos), Cyprus, the Aegean shores, Asia Minor, the Black Sea, & Tartary, and sent to Cambridge in order to establish the “The foundation of the Greek Marbles” that according to the author “may be said to have been laid”.

The largest part of the book (pp.12-37) concerns the identification and removal of the Cistophorus Caryatid from the Sanctuary of Demeter at Eleusis (Καρυάτιδα Κιστοφόρος, Ναός Θεάς Δήμητρας, Ελευσίνα). The book includes four (4) full-page engravings depicting the Cistophorus Caryatid, and the Eleusinian site during the statue removal.

The author describes in details all the efforts (intrigues, bribes, technical difficulties) that led to the final removal of the monumental statue. The author had also to overcome the local Greeks hostile behavior, as the statue was considered sacred. As the author states “the inhabitants of Eleusis, respecting an idol which they all regarded as the protectress of their fields” & “they maintained that no ship would ever get safe into port with the Statue on board”. The prediction was finally verified (!) as the ship that finally appointed to deliver the statue from Smyrna to England was sunk. The statue was finally retrieved from the bottom of the sea 2 years later and moved to Cambridge. It is currently one of the most valuable artefacts of The Fitzwilliam Museum.

The book also includes a chapter entitled: “Porson’s translation of the Greek inscription on the ROSETTA STONE”, regarding the reconstruction of the missing Greek text, and an Appendix: “Letter from the Earl of Aberdeen to the author, respecting the discovery of Medusa’s Head… in a Tomb near Athens”

In “Memorandum… of Elgin’s pursuits in Greece”, William Hamilton presents the actions of Lord Elgin that led in the final removal of the Classical Greek marble sculptures originally part of the temple of the Parthenon, and their transportation by sea to England. Many details provide insights on how the marbles were treated during their removal as well as the controversial actions undertaken by him and his assistants, such as M. Lousieri. Also other cases of important artefacts removal are mentioned in text, such as Mont Athos manuscripts or valuable items from Athenian churches and monasteries.

Fine contemporary binding: fine blind-stamped calf with blind-stamped in gilt coat-of-arms bearing “male deer” & crown on both covers. Spine with decorations in gilt and raised bands. Marbled edges and decorations in gilt on turn-in. Rubbed along edges, wear along joints & small parts of spine. Internall occasional spotting.    

Both books are Very Rare, tracked in few public libraries worldwide and rarely offered in auctions.