CARTER HOWARD: (1874-1939) English archaeologist and Egyptologist who discovered the Tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922. An A.L.S., E Paravicini, by Eugen Paravicini, four pages, 8vo, Avenue Henri Martin, Paris, 5th May 1932, to Howard Carter (´My dear Carter´). Paravicini states that his wife has informed him that Carter will assist her by examining some carpets being held in a Swiss bank, and thanks him for his exceeding kindness, further enclosing a letter (no longer present) for the bank´s offices in London, explaining that he cannot recall the exact address (´as far as I remember it is near Jermyn Street´) but that his brother will know the complete address (´He also will give you the key of the case´). Paravicini continues to reflect ´Things seem to be very bad everywhere and the prices reached at Christie´s & elsewhere are dreadfully low. It seems that nobody has any interest any more for works of art and nobody is in a position to buy any. It is very sad. But I cannot help thinking that works of art later again will be collected, as it has been done since the world exists. Nobody knows however which kind of art will come into fashion. Fashion plays an important part in art - just as it does in dresses! Is not it sad and also stupid! I don´t think we soon will see again the high prices Americans paid 2 years ago. Pope estimated the carpets at £20,000 each. I do not think we could find a buyer at this price now´. Together with Carter´s draft autograph letter of reply, unsigned, one page, 4to, Princes Gate Court, London, 9th May 1932, to Eugen Paravicini, in pencil, with several corrections. Carter acknowledges receipt of his correspondent´s letter, and that for the Swiss Bank Corporation, and explains ´I will at my earliest moment take the matter in hand´, further remarking ´I am only back in London a week and as far as I have been able to judge in so short a period, things are still very dull. but I have a feeling.....that things will improve this summer & that works of art will be considered safer than shares´ and also observing ´Pope certainly knows his material but I fear perhaps somewhat exagerrated.....values´. VG, 2

Eugen Paravicini (1889-1945) Swiss ethnologist, naturalist, collector and researcher. His brother, Charles Robert Paravicini, served as the Swiss Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to France from 1920-33. Eugen was married to Alice Paravicini-Vogel, and she frequently accompanied her husband on his ethnographic and botanical expeditions, most notably during his famous journey to the Solomon Islands from 1928-29.