Oldest Books in the World An Account of the Religion, Wisdom, Philosophy, Ethics, Psychology, Manners, Proverbs, Sayings, Refinement, etc., of the Ancient Egyptians by Isaac Myer
Publication: 1900 Kegan Paul Trench First Edition limited to 500 copies
First Edition limited to only 500 copies.
This was the final book by Isaac Myer (1836-1902), a Philadelphia-born scholar, antiquarian, and Freemason known for his interest in the Kabbalah and ancient Egyptian religion. He is best known for “Qabbalah; The Philosophical Writings of Solomon Ben Yehudah Ibn Gebirol or Avicebron.”
Myer explores the religion, wisdom, philosophy, ethics, psychology, manners, proverbs, sayings, and refinement of the Ancient Egyptians. It draws from some of the oldest existing monuments, papyri, and records of this civilization, covering the period from the earliest historic times up to A.D. 64. The work includes facsimiles and translations of some of the world's oldest books.
Additionally, it examines the origin, antiquity, and elevated ethics of the CXXVth chapter of the Book of the Dead, which was written long before the Hebrew Exodus. The analysis is based on numerous papyrus copies, and the text also describes the Psychostasia, or the Trial of the Conscience of the Dead, featuring many illustrations from ancient monuments and papyri.
Condition: publishers maroon colored boards, decorative gilt title to spine and cover, the covers are staining to the font covers and a heavy scuffing to rear cover, both hinges have been professionally stengthened using japaenese paper, a few leaves remain unnopped as is common with these editions, head of spine damange, considering the flaws the book is still in overall Very Good condition