Title: Plans, Coupes et Profils de Pontys près des Pyramides de Memphis, Ouvrages Sarasins. [Plans, Sections and Profiles of the Bridges near Pyramids of Memphis, Saracens]
Printed: Copenhagen: Maison Royale De Orphilius, 1755
One Original copper engraved plate, illustrating architectural drawings of the bridges near the Great Pyramides. Sheet measures 11 inches x 16.5 inches (28 cm x 42 cm). Text is in French. Mild age-toning, otherwise in Very Good Condition, with strong impression. Suitable for framing.
This is an original engraving from the exceedingly scarce first edition of Norden's "Voyage D'Egypte Et De Nubie".
Published posthumously, the title comprises Frederic Louis Norden's extensive documentation and drawings from his journey though Egypt from 1737-1738. Norden had already begun some preliminary work on his book, when he was interrupted for war-service. He died of tuberculosis in France in 1742. Fortunately he had left his documents and drawings with a friend for safe-keeping. Mark Tuscher from Nuremberg made copperplates of the drawings, which he gave to the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters, who, under order of Frederick V of Denmark, first published the book in 1755.
Frederic Louis Norden (1708-1742), was a Danish naval captain and explorer. He made a voyage through Egypt all the way down to Sudan in 1737-1738, on the request of King Christian VI of Denmark. Norden made abundant notes, observations and drawings of everything around him, including people, pharaonic monuments, architecture, installations, and maps, all of which was published in the posthumous "Voyage d'Egypte et de Nubie". He became a Fellow of the Royal Society of London January 8, 1741, where his name was registered as Frederic Lewis Norden.
Memphis was the ancient capital of the first nome of Lower Egypt, and of the Old Kingdom of Egypt from its foundation until around 2200 BC and later for shorter periods during the New Kingdom, and an administrative centre throughout ancient history.
According to Herodotus, the city was founded around 3100 BC by Menes, who united the two kingdoms of Egypt. It has been theorized that King Menes was possibly a mythical king, similar to Romulus and Remus, the mythical first rulers of Rome. Most likely Egypt became unified through mutual need, developing cultural ties over time and trading partnerships though it is still understood that the first capital of Ancient Egypt was the lower Egyptian city of Memphis. Egyptologists have also identified the legendary 'Menes' with the historical King Narmer, who is represented in the Palette of Narmer conquering the Nile Delta in Lower Egypt and establishing himself as pharaoh. This Palette has been dated to ca. 3000 BC, and would thus correlate with the story of Egypt's unification by Menes.
Back to home page
) 
VOYAGER PRESS BOOKS 1.888.656.2006
Print
Report item
and your 