A suitcase believed to have belonged to renowned Egyptologist Howard Carter, the man who discovered King Tutankhamun’s tomb, has been uncovered after spending decades hidden under a bed.
A Historic Discovery in an Unlikely Place
Antiques expert David Harper revealed that the suitcase, featuring Carter’s distinctive monogram, was originally gifted to Carter’s colleague, John Healey. Following Healey’s passing in the early 1970s, the case remained stored under his son’s bed in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, for over 50 years.
“This find is astonishing,” Harper remarked. “These suitcases transported critical documents and possibly even artifacts from Tutankhamun’s tomb.”
Connection to the Tutankhamun Expedition
The design of the initials monogrammed on the suitcase had been used by Howard Carter, Mr Harper said
Howard Carter, along with his team, famously unearthed the treasures of King Tutankhamun’s tomb in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings in 1922. According to Harper, Healey and Carter were close friends who worked together in Egypt during the 1930s. The suitcase, marked with Carter’s unique ‘HC’ monogram, serves as a tangible link to this historic archaeological era.
Harper confirmed the authenticity of the case by examining the distinctive design of the initials. “The ‘H’ is paired with a reversed ‘C,’ ensuring that no matter how the case was positioned on a boat, it would always be readable,” he explained.
Auction and Lingering Superstitions
After years of being hidden away, the suitcase is now set to go up for auction on February 27, with an estimated value between £1,000 and £1,500. Despite its historical significance, Harper humorously acknowledged concerns about the legendary ‘curse of Tutankhamun.’
“I made sure to drive very carefully with it in my car boot,” he joked. However, he reassured potential buyers by noting that the previous owner had been sleeping just above the case for half a century without any apparent ill effects.
This extraordinary find offers a rare glimpse into one of archaeology’s most legendary discoveries and the life of the man who made it possible.
