STEIN AUREL: (1862-1943) Hungarian-born British archaeologist, primarily known for his explorations and archaeological discoveries in Central Asia. A rare A.L.S., A. Stein, two pages, 8vo, Assuan (i.e. Aswan), 20th March 1924, to [Reginald ?Rex?] Engelbach. Stein informs his correspondent that he arrived at his hotel last night ?and hope to be back at Luxor by the afternoon of the 22nd in order to profit by the auspicious chance which your exceeding kindness offers of seeing, if possible on the 23rd, some of the wonderful remains in your charge there?, further adding that he will call on Engelbach and his wife at their home in the early evening of the 22nd (?but trust that this intention will not keep her or you from any engagement taking you both out?), also explaining that he will have to leave for Cairo on the 24th, and of Assuan commenting ?I find this old frontier station of Egypt enchanting?. One tear to the left edge, slightly affecting one word of text and just touching the signature, G

Reginald ?Rex? Engelbach (1888?1946) British Egyptologist and engineer who worked with Flinders Petrie before being appointed Chief Inspector of Upper Egypt for the Egyptian Antiquities Service in 1920. In this capacity he became closely associated with Howard Carter and the 5th Earl of Carnarvon at the time of the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb: Engelbach and his wife were among the privileged visitors admitted to the tomb shortly after its opening in November 1922, and in February 1923 he was one of the small group invited to witness the opening of the sealed burial chamber. Engelbach later became Chief Keeper of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and was particularly noted for his studies of ancient Egyptian engineering and monumental construction.