Collection Mace MSS - Arthur Cruttenden Mace Collection

Mace Journal [1898 to] 1899 Mace Journal 1899 to 1900 Mace Journal [1900 to] 1901 Mace Journal 1901 to 1902 Mace Journal [1902 to] 1903
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Identity area

Reference code

Mace MSS

Title

Arthur Cruttenden Mace Collection

Date(s)

  • 1922-1925 (Creation)
  • 1899-1903 (Creation)

Level of description

Collection

Extent and medium

2 boxes

Context area

Name of creator

(1874-1928)

Biographical history

British Egyptologist. Born, Glenorchy, Hobart, Tasmania 1874. Died, Haywards Heath, Sussex 1928. Educated, St Edward's School, Oxford, then Keble College, Oxford. BA, 1895. Worked with W. M. F. Petrie at Dendera, Hû, and Abydos, between 1897-1901. Assisted G. A. Reisner on the California University excavations at Gîza, 1901-6. From 1906 onwards, he spent of the rest of his career working for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, culminating in the position of Associate Curator in 1922. He founded and directed the first Metropolitan Museum expedition to Egypt. Between 1922-4 he was engaged as an assistant to H. Carter during the early stages of excavating of the tomb of Tutankhamun. He was forced to resign this position due to poor health. He published several books and articles and collaborated with Carter on the first volume of the publication The Tomb of Tut.Ankh.Amen (1923).

Archival history

(1-5) Excavation journals, correspondence, typewritten articles, copies of Burton photographs, and newspaper cuttings: Formed part of the Mace estate. Formerly in the possession of his daughter, Mrs Margaret Orr. Later in the possession of his grandchildren, Mr David Orr and Mrs Alison Crawford.

(y) Tutankhamun account (typewritten version) and diary: This material is on loan to the Griffith Institute. Formed part of the Mace estate. Formerly in the possession of his daughter, Mrs Margaret Orr. Now the property of his grandchildren, Mr David Orr and Mrs Alison Crawford.
(z) Tutankhamun account (original handwritten version): This material is on loan to the Griffith Institute. Formed part of the Mace estate. Formerly in the possession of his daughter, Mrs Margaret Orr. Now the property of his grandchildren, Mr David Orr and Mrs Alison Crawford.

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

(1) Excavation journals: Donated by Mace's grandchildren, Mr David Orr and Mrs Alison Crawford in September 2014.
(2-5) Correspondence, typewritten articles, copies of Burton photographs, and newspaper cuttings: Donated by Mace's grandchildren, Mr David Orr and Mrs Alison Crawford in September 2018.

(y) Tutankhamun account (typewritten version) and diary: Initially lent to the Griffith Institute by Mace's daughter, Mrs Margaret Orr. The continuation of this loan has been granted by his grandchildren, Mr David Orr and Mrs Alison Crawford (renewed in September 2014).
(z) Tutankhamun account (original handwritten version): Lent to the Griffith Institute by Mace's grandchildren, Mr David Orr and Mrs Alison Crawford in August 2015.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

(1) Excavation journals for 1899-1901 (working with W. M. F. Petrie) and 1901-1903 (working with G. A. Reisner).
(2) Personal correspondence exchanged between Mace and his wife Winifred during the Winter season 1922-1923, Winifred Mace and her mother during the Winter season 1923-1924, and other correspondence related to the excavation of the tomb of Tutankhamun.
(3) Two typewritten articles by Mace on work in Tutankhamun's tomb: "DESPATCH No. 5" (3 pages), and "THE CLOSING OF THE TOMB" (incomplete, first page only + newspaper cutting of The Times article); both submitted to The Times and subsequently published on 31/01/1923 and 28/03/1923.
(4) 39 photographs, most are original Burton images, some of which have been annotated by Howard Carter; they may have been used during the preparation of H. Carter and A. C. Mace, The Tomb of Tut.ankh.Amen i (1923).
(5) Newspaper cuttings, most from The Times, published between 1922 and 1925.

(y) Mace's account of the opening of the burial chamber of Tutankhamun - typewritten version (TAA iv.1). Diary for 1922-3 (TAA iv.2).
(z) Mace's account of the opening of the burial chamber of Tutankhamun - original handwritten version (TAA iv.3).

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

Kept as received.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

(1-5) Property of the Griffith Institute. No restrictions.
(y-z) Tutankhamun account and diary: Property of Mr David Orr and Mrs Alison Crawford. Consultation only.

Conditions governing reproduction

(1-5) Copyright Griffith Institute, University of Oxford.
(y-z) Copyright Mr David Orr and Mrs Alison Crawford. Contact the Griffith Institute, University of Oxford regarding publication.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

Language and script notes

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

No problems.

Finding aids

None.

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

These are originals.

Existence and location of copies

Copies in the hands of the Orr family.

Related units of description

Other Archives:

  • Material still in the possession of Mace's family.
  • (1) Reisner's excavations records are kept in the archives of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
  • Partial handwritten manuscript of The Tomb of Tut.Ankh.Amen, vol. i (1923) in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York [https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/571399 (accessed 09/07/2020)].

Griffith Institute Archive:

  • (1) Petrie Journals: 1898-9, 1899-1900, and 1900-1.
  • (y-z) TAA Archive: TAA i.1 (card index); TAA i.2.2 (Mace's diary, November 14, 1923 to February 23, 1925); TAA i.3.22 (seal impressions notes).

Publication note

Notes area

Note

  • Photograph: after Burton photograph p0493.

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Physical storage

  • Shelf: 0106
  • Shelf: 0516B