ASHURBANIPAL

[Sir Austen Henry Layard, archaeologist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('A. H. Layard') to the orientalist W. B. Barker, sending a 'specimen' of his 'detestable handwriting', and calling him 'a fortunate man' for being satisfied with his position.

Author: 
Sir Austen Henry Layard (1817-1894), archaeologist who excavated Nimrud and Nineveh, discoverer of library of Assyrian king Ashurbanipal [William Burckhardt Barker] (c.1810-1856), orientalist]
Publication details: 
10 July 1837. Athenaeum Club [London], on club letterhead.
£125.00

2pp, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of paper from mount unobtrusively adhering at head of reverse. Folded twice. The salutation is to 'My dear Barker', and the name of the recipient is given at the foot of the first page as 'W. B. Barker Esqe'. He thanks him for his 'kind, but too complimentary note'. He is afraid that Barker's friend, who has clearly requested Layard's autograph, 'sets too much value upon a specimen of such detestable handwriting', but in this matter, 'as in anything else', he will be happy to oblige Barker.

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