Thebes. Profile and Face of a Mummy. (Woman.)

Buffalo, NY: American Polytechnic Company, 1887. Limited. Color lithograph. Image measures 12" x 18". Sheet measures 21" x 27 1/4". Plate XXVIII. This unusual color lithograph depicts the face and profile of the head of a female mummy. Published in 1887, the print is more artfully than scientifically rendered, depicting in soft grays and browns the effects of time on the woman's face. This print is from a limited edition of Binion's "Ancient Egypt or Mizraim," Vol. II, which is considered a landmark of American chromolithography. This print is in very good condition, with the exception of some small pink stains below the left figure. Discoloration and fingerprints are limited to the margins and do not affect the quality of the image. Samuel Augustus Binion (1853-1914) was a Polish author, traveler, and translator. With "Ancient Egypt," he sought to present Egyptian history, art, and architecture in a thorough manner. He intended the size of the work to be sumptuous enough to allow for the faithful depiction of buildings, ornamentation, hieroglyphics, and decorations in their original colors, yet still manageable for use in both private and public libraries. (Inventory #: 232563)