Overview

This work examines Egyptian mummies as artifacts in pre-1900 America: how they got here, what happened to them, and how they were perceived by the public and by archaeologists. Collected newspaper accounts and other documents reveal the progression of American interest in mummies as curiosities, commodities, and cultural lessons. Numerous mummies which no longer exist are identified, and commentary on mummy coffins and a discussion of methods of public exhibition are included.

Full Product Details

Author:   S.J. Wolfe ,  Robert Singerman ,  Bob Brier
Publisher:   McFarland & Co Inc
Imprint:   McFarland & Co Inc
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 1.50cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.390kg
ISBN:  

9780786439416

ISBN 10:   0786439416
Pages:   304
Publication Date:   28 October 2009
Recommended Age:   From 18 years
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Available To Order  
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Table of Contents

Table of Contents Acknowledgments      Foreword by Bob Brier      Preface      1. “An Appropriate Ornament of the Operating Room”: Padihershef and the Beginnings of Mummymania in Nineteenth-Century America      2. “As Cheap as Candidates for the Presidency”: Egyptian Mummies in Early Nineteenth-Century America      3. “An Exceedingly Dry Company”: Exhibiting Egyptian Mummies in Nineteenth-Century America      4. “The Leg of Pharaoh’s Daughter, the One Who Saved Moses”: Egyptian Mummies in the Mormon World      5. Unholy Unrollers: “Scientific” Interest in Egyptian Mummies in Nineteenth-Century America      6. “Better Than Stealing Pennies from the Eyes of Dead Men”: Commercial Exploitation of Mummies in Victorian America      7. “No Stiff Has Ever Gone Over This Road Without a Death Certificate”: Egyptian Mummies and the American Public      Appendices 1. Catalogue of Pre-1901 References to Mummies in America Not Mentioned in the Text      2. Suggestions for Further Reading      3. Notes on the Coffins of the First Mummies Brought to America      4. Spreading the News      Chapter Notes      Bibliography      Index     

Reviews

"""Painstaking research...intriguing""--NEPCA Journal"

“Remarkable...a delightful read...a priceless resource”—Fortean Times “Fascinating anecdote...a superb job of research...a must”—KMT (A Modern Journal of Ancient Egypt) “A labor of love...very interesting...a worth-while addition”—Journal of Mormon History “Intriguing and entertainig study...an absolute must...a fascinating read”—Ancient Egypt “All I can say is, WOW!! The amount of research, minute research, exacting research that went into the creation of this book is astounding.”—Egyptology News “Painstaking research...intriguing”—NEPCA Journal

remarkable...a delightful read...a priceless resource --<i>Fortean Times</i>; fascinating anecdote...a superb job of research...a must --<i>KMT</i> (A Modern Journal of Ancient Egypt); a labor of love...very interesting...a worth-while addition --<i>Journal of Mormon History</i>; intriguing and entertainig study...an absolute must...a fascinating read --<i>Ancient Egypt</i>; all I can say is, WOW!! The amount of research, minute research, exacting research that went into the creation of this book is astounding. --<i>Egyptology News</i>; painstaking research...intriguing --<i>NEPCA Journal.</i>

remarkable...a delightful read...a priceless resource --Fortean Times fascinating anecdote...a superb job of research...a must --KMT (A Modern Journal of Ancient Egypt) a labor of love...very interesting...a worth-while addition --Journal of Mormon History intriguing and entertainig study...an absolute must...a fascinating read --Ancient Egypt all I can say is, WOW!! The amount of research, minute research, exacting research that went into the creation of this book is astounding. --Egyptology News painstaking research...intriguing --NEPCA Journal.

Author Information

S.J. Wolfe is a senior cataloger and serials specialist at the American Antiquarian Society. Over the past 20 years, she has been lecturing on ancient Egyptian culture and presenting mummy research. She lives in Worcester, Massachusetts. Robert Singerman is the emeritus Jewish studies bibliographer at University of Florida Libraries, Gainesville. He lives in Gainesville, Florida.

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