initialled C H/C and J.H. HEALEY CA, remnants of old label; sold with a copy of The Nile, Notes for Travellers in Egypt, pub. Thos. Cook & Son, London and Cairo, 1890. (2) Case 57cm by 38cm
John ‘Tim’ Healey was a mechanical engineer, fixer, superintendent and archaeologist working in Luxor for THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO, THE ORIENTAL INSTITUTE. John lived in an apartment in the institute at Luxor from 1932 to circa 1970 for 8 months of the year, leaving England every September. It is recorded that John knew more Egyptologists working in Egypt than anyone else and was by 1970 the longest-serving member of staff working for the Chicago Institute. John was a friend and colleague of Howard Carter from 1932 to 1939, when Carter left Egypt for the last time. On leaving Egypt, Howard Carter gifted John Healey his leather suitcase, which he’d owned from New (the case was initialled for Howard Carter). John Healey then used the case himself, travelling back and forth to Egypt until 1970, when he retired to Bishop Auckland, County Durham, England. John died a few years later, and his son, Derek Healey (interviewed in the video), inherited the case. The case was then stored under a bed from the mid-1970s to 2025.
Sold for £12,000
initialled C H/C and J.H. HEALEY CA, remnants of old label; sold with a copy of The Nile, Notes for Travellers in Egypt, pub. Thos. Cook & Son, London and Cairo, 1890. (2) Case 57cm by 38cm
Auction: Country House Sale, 27th Feb, 2025
Our February Two-Day Country House Sale offers a diverse array of nearly 1200 lots, showcasing pieces with exceptional provenance, including items from the Galtres family and other distinguished deceased estates. Silver treasures include a magnificent Omar Ramsden centrepiece (commissioned by Lord Hyndley, London 1934) and a George IV silver-gilt wine cooler by John Bridge (London 1825). A private collection of Art Deco bronzes features a striking cold-painted bronze dancer by Josef Lorenzl. The Galtres family collection comprises over 100 lots, highlighted by a rare William and Mary burr elm chest of drawers and cricket table. A truly remarkable piece is a leather suitcase gifted by Howard Carter to his friend John ‘Tim’ Healey.
Viewing
Monday 24th February 10am-4pm
Tuesday 25th February 10am-4pm