More than a hundred years after the incredible discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb, Howard Carter's lost suitcase is being auctioned by the auction house Elstob, with a presale estimate of £1,000–£1,500 (approximately $1,260–$1,900), according to National Geographic Historia. The suitcase, a worn leather piece bearing Carter's monogram, had been hidden under a bed since the 1970s and was recently found by Derek Healey, one of the sons of John Healey.
Howard Carter is possibly the most famous archaeologist in history. He discovered the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings on November 4, 1922, after excavating for ten years, which catapulted him to stardom. During his excavations, he traveled between his home in Luxor and Kensington, London, carrying his most essential luggage in the worn leather suitcase now set to be auctioned.
When Derek discovered the suitcase, he initially thought it would not be of much interest beyond the possible sentimental value it held for his father. Seeking an expert opinion, he contacted local antiques expert David Harper. Harper immediately recognized the true value of the suitcase and recommended that Derek take it to an auction house. "There will be people who will want to own it, regardless of the price," Harper told National Geographic Historia. "The connection to Howard Carter, Tutankhamun, the glamour, the glory, the intrigue behind it all."
The suitcase not only bears Howard Carter's initials but also has a design that confirms its authenticity. Harper explained, "Next to the H, there's a C that goes backward, so you can always read 'HC'." He added, "In addition to the fact that its provenance is very strong, it bears Carter's initials on the suitcase." Documents show that the archaeologist used it in the 1920s on his journeys between England and Egypt until his death in 1939.
John Healey, Derek's father, had received the suitcase from Howard Carter when Carter left Egypt for the last time in 1939. Carter gave the suitcase to his friend Healey, who continued to use it on trips back and forth between England and Egypt until his retirement in 1970. Healey participated in archaeological expeditions in Egypt and had formed a close friendship with Carter. After Healey's death, the suitcase remained under his son's bed for five decades, from the mid-1970s until the beginning of this year.
David Harper first heard about the suitcase when Derek contacted him online, claiming he had inherited it from his father, who was given it as a gift by Howard Carter. Harper admitted to some initial doubts about the suitcase's authenticity. He recalled, "My instinct is, is this real?" He informed Derek that he would need "cast iron provenance" before assessing the object. To his amazement, Derek was able to provide proof of provenance, including documentation linking the suitcase to Carter.
When Harper traveled to see the suitcase in person, he hoped the owners hadn't attempted to smarten it up. He was delighted to find that the artifact was untouched. "I was delighted when I got to the house in Bishop Auckland that they hadn't polished it," he said. Harper was relieved to discover that the suitcase was "sandy," making it feel almost like a time machine. "You can literally feel the minutest grain of sand, you can see it in the leather just rubbed in naturally over almost 100 years," he enthused.
David Harper believes that the final price of the suitcase will be much higher than the starting estimate. "I wouldn't be surprised if on February 27, the suitcase is sold for more than £5,000," he stated, indicating that interest from collectors is expected. He added, "If you want to travel back to that fascinating period of history, the only way to do it is with a piece like this, which was a personal item of Howard Carter."
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.