DIEULAFOY (Marcel) - Lot 247

DIEULAFOY (Marcel) Toulouse, 1844 - Paris, 1920. French archaeologist, engineer and Orientalist. Famous for his archaeological missions to Persia and Susa, conducted with his wife Jeanne Dieulafoy, and for the important discoveries brought back to the Louvre Museum, notably the famous "Archers' Frieze". L.A.S. "Marcel Dieulafoy" to a correspondent. Paris, June 18, 1911. 2 pp. in-12. Interesting letter concerning an oriental archeological object belonging to José Lazard. Replying to a correspondent wishing to examine a piece of ivory, Dieulafoy regrets that the request reached him too late: "I regret very much that your letter reached me only this morning". The archaeologist explains that the object's owner, "M. José Lazard", must leave Paris immediately: "...the owner of the ivory, Mr. José Lazard, must leave Paris today or tomorrow morning at the latest." Always anxious to satisfy his correspondent's scientific curiosity, he nevertheless proposes an alternative solution: "Failing the original, I hope to be able to show you an excellent photograph." The letter goes on to mention the production of a reproduction for "reports", before concluding with a polite expression of devotion. A fine testimony to scholarly exchanges and the market for oriental antiquities in the early 20th century. Well-preserved manuscript in clear, elegant handwriting, signed "Marcel Dieulafoy".