The Palace of Minos

Volume signed by author. A well-preserved first edition of Evans' vast work of over 3000 pages recording one of the most important excavations in the history of archaeology, which also serves as an encyclopaedia of the whole range of Minoan culture known up to that time. Sir Arthur Evans (1851-1941) dedicated his life to the study of the Aegean civilisation and was a pioneer of Bronze Age archaeology. The index was compiled by the author's sister, herself a distinguished archaeologist, Dr. Joan Evans.

The offprint, signed by the author, addresses the Aegina Treasure, found in 1892 and still do this day one of the most important collections of Minoan jewellery. It was well known that Crete was a hotbed of Bronze Age archaeology yet to be fully uncovered by academics, but Ottoman rule and hostility prevented any government co-operation. When the Cretan Republic was founded in 1899, many European museums and universities rushed to secure permissions, only to find Evans had purchased private ownership of the prime spots in Heraklion, the cultural capital of the Minoan Civilisation.

First editions throughout, vol IV part II and offprints signed by author; 5 vols bound in 7, plus complimentary extract and offprint, 4to (25.5 x 19.5); approximately 952 illustrations (many full-page), 35 colour plates, 69 supplementary plates, 11 large plans in pockets at end of volumes, slight marginal damage to plates at rear of vol II part I; publisher's gilt decorated blue cloth, with gilt motifs and borders to boards and spines, light fading to spines of vol IV pt I and II, inner margin tear to offprint, some light rubbing to extremities, a very good set.