Sell or Auction Your Howard Carter Autograph
To auction, sell or consign your Howard Carter autograph, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (NateDSanders.com).
Here are some Howard Carter autographs we’ve sold:
Howard Carter ALS 1892
Autograph letter signed from English archaeologist and Egyptologist, noted as a primary discoverer of the tomb of Tutankhamun, Howard Carter. Datelined “Deri Moes / 5th March 1892,” Carter writes to his mentor, Lord Amherst, during his early excavations at the Temple of the Sun. Letter reads in full, “The Temple of the Sun is not so rich as expected, but I have a good many blocks of inscribed stone from it, with the cartouges [sic] often King and queen and Sun. I have only got through half of it as yet so that there is still a chance of good luck. I got two very interesting blocks of stone yesterday, on which a sculpture has been practicing upon; had several small pieces. It seems to be a sculpture’s house that I have come upon. I am still getting a small supply of beds [sic] pendants and one or two glaze rings &c: We have been obliged to stop work today, for Mr. Petrie has had his only two hammers stolen yesterday; I fear it is the only means of getting them back, and as it is pay day we stand a good chance. Hoping all are well, with kind regards. I remain, Truly yours / Howard Carter.” On 16 February 1923, at 4pm Carter opened the burial chamber and first saw the sarcophagus of Tutankhamun. It was the sensation of the 20th Century. Tutankhamun mania swept the world and Carter was immortalized. This lot gives a fascinating insight into Carter’s early travails. Near fine condition. Accompanied by COA from PSA/DNA. Sold for $9,000.

Excellent Howard Carter autograph letter signed, written to his mother from Luxor, 24 May 1900. Carter adds a trio of black and white snapshots, applied directly to the stationery, and refers to each in the text. Written in red ink, letter reads, ”My Dear Mother, Thanks for yours of 23. I am so glad you are enjoying yourself & all – Yes your letter found me in my establishment, but tomorrow I must leave it again…With my new 6/- camera I can perhaps illustrate my letters when I can make time. Here are a few snaps from ‘Carter Castle’ to start with. [captioning photo] ‘My Play Mates and Messy Mates’ – It is a wonder the cook did not put his face out the door at the time – thus exactly opposite you being the kitchen. The pigeon on the right of the post, on top, is a particular kind, and makes or rather has mournful note different to ordinary pigeons…The Nile has risen and now I ride by boat. Between me and Luxor is one sheet of water. Though yesterday was hot, the weather is much cooler. I am now flooding the garden ready for seeding. Am imagining in different plots, peas – beans, cabbages etc…Howard Carter”. Carter runs a squiggly line through his last name and adds a postscript, ”Hugs to the aunts, kicks to the cat, steal an apple from the garden and see what they say to that”. Letter runs 2pp. on a single large sheet of ruled stationery. Measures 8.25” x 13.25”. Toning and creasing, with tape repair to folds, else near fine. Sold for $3,125.

King Tut Founder Howard Carter Document Signed — From 1903 While at the Egyptian Antiquities Service
Document signed by famed archaeologist Howard Carter in 1903. Carter is well-known for founding the tomb of King Tutankhamen and served as first chief inspector of the Egyptian Antiquities Service. Composed in Arabic and English, document appears to be instructions regarding someone’s pay. Signed “Howard Carter” beneath lines of Arabic. An additional line in English along the bottom is addressed to “To S. des. A.” Single page measures 6.75″ x 8.25″. Light toning, holes punched along left side and staple punctures. Very good condition. Lot also includes a page on Egyptian-English note paper with signed notes in French by several individuals, dated 13-14 February 1922. Sold for $2,874.

Letter signed by famed archaeologist Howard Carter in 1903, written in Arabic and English. Carter is well-known for founding the tomb of King Tutkhanmen and served as first chief inspector of the Egyptian Antiquities Service. Translated to English, letter reads, ”Based on your letter dated 27th of January 1903, No 27, we asked the Aswan Directorate to take the statement of Hamid Effendi Abulmunim about the value of compensation he is claiming for the building constructed by his father at the archaeological site on Aswan island (Elephantine) and also the comments of the directorate about it. The directorate informed us on the 7th of April 1903, No. 379, that the said man accepted the offer of 150 Egyptian pounds as compensation, on the condition that after receiving the compensation, he will hand over the piece of land with the building and its doors, windows, roofs and other items, and also not to ask the government for any further compensation, on the condition that after receiving the compensation, he will hand over the piece of land with the building and its doors, windows, roofs and other items, and also not to ask the government for any further compensation, either now or in the future. The directorate pointed out that this is value is very modest considering the cost of the place and in relation to the amount that he initially asked for. Therefore, we are sending as an attachment to this letter, the statement of the directorate and the total number of 38 papers to be examined, commented on, and returned.” Carter writes a postscript in English, ”Reply to the service that I have inspected this building on the 28th. I found that the price stated (150) to be a very fair valuation”. Carter initials and dates the letter 29 April 1903 below the postscript. He also writes ”Price very fair / Howard Carter / 28-4-1903” in English in red pen across the top. Single page letter measures 8” x 12.75”. Two closed circular tears and one slight tear where letter was presumably affixed in a binder, as well as staple holes to top. Very good condition. Sold for $2,475.

King Tut Founder Howard Carter Letter Signed — While at the Egyptian Antiquities Service
Letter signed by famed archaeologist Howard Carter in 1903, written in Arabic. Carter is well-known for founding the tomb of King Tutankhamen and served as first chief inspector of the Egyptian Antiquities Service. Translated to English, letter is written during an excavation on the Island of Elephantine, located in the Nile River. With a ”Received on 2 May 1903” date, letter reads, ”HE Mr., Director of the General Archaeology Directorate, Based on your explanation, dated the 21st of this month, number 966, we inform you that an inspection has been conducted of the building constructed by the father of Hamid Effendi Abdulmunim at the archaeological site on the island of Aswan (Elephantine). We found the amount of 150 Egyptian pounds estimated for the building is a very appropriate and reasonable value…General Archaeology Directorate, South Egypt. The total of 40 pages are back…” Signed ”Howard Carter” beneath lines of Arabic. An additional line in English along the bottom reads, ”To s. des. a. Regarding the building of the Island of Aswan”. Single page letter measures 6.75” x 8.25”. Light toning, holes punched along left side and staple holes in four places to top. Very good condition. Sold for $2,250.

Howard Carter Document Signed From 1901, as Chief Inspector of the Egyptian Antiquities Service
Howard Carter document signed from 1901, as Chief Inspector of the Egyptian Antiquities Service. In this Egyptian document Carter requests a holiday for an employee. Measures 8.25” x 7.75”. Boldly signed by Carter, but with a small smudge to his signature. Two hole punches at left. Overall very good plus condition. Sold for $938.

To auction, sell or consign your Howard Carter autograph, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (NateDSanders.com).
