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1 of 253523 objects
Sir William Gell (1777-1836)
Copies of specimens of papyri [found at Herculaneum], unrolled under the auspices of His Sacred Majesty King George the Fourth / [Sir William Gell].
45.5 x 2.5 cm (book measurement (inventory)) | RCIN 1076170
![Copies of specimens of papyri [found at Herculaneum], unrolled under the auspices of His Sacred Majesty King George the Fourth / [Sir William Gell]](https://www.rct.uk/sites/default/files/styles/rctr-scale-1300-500/public/collection-online/9/c/353136-1534173520.jpg?itok=Y9SqQW54 "Copies of specimens of papyri [found at Herculaneum], unrolled under the auspices of His Sacred Majesty King George the Fourth / [Sir William Gell]")
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In 1816, the Prince Regent, later George IV, received from the King of the Two Sicilies twelve rolls of Herculaneum papyri. These rolls were entrusted to the German Dr FCL Sickler for him to unroll and decipher. Unfortunately his methods resulted in failure and the destruction of seven of the rolls. He was eventually paid off, and the project was passed to the chemist Sir Humphry Davy and Peter Elmsley (1773-1825). This beautiful volume containing watercolours of some of their samples was presented to the Prince, now King George IV in 1820.
Provenance
Presented to George IV by Humphry Davy.
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Creator(s)
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Measurements
45.5 x 2.5 cm (book measurement (inventory))
45.4 x 29.0 x 2.2 cm (book measurement (conservation))
Category
