PART OF THE WILL OF GEORGE EDWARD STANHOPE MOLYNEUX HERBERT, 5th EARL
OF CARNARVON OF HIGHCLERE CASTLE
THE EGYPTIAN COLLECTION
LEFT TO HIS WIFE ALMINA
“I, GEORGE EDWARD Earl of Carnarvon will and bequeath to my wife Almina
Carnarvon my entire Egyptian collection. I would like her to give one object to
the British Museum one object to the Ashmolean and a fragment cup of blue glass
Thotmes 3 to the Metropolitan Museum New York. The first 2 bequests need not be
capital objects. Should she find it necessary to sell the collection I suggest
that the Nation i.e. the British Museum be given first refusal at £20,000 far
below its value such sum however to be absolutely hers free of all duties
otherwise I would suggest that the
collection be offered to the Metropolitan New York. Mr Carter to have charge of the negotiations and to fix a price. Should my
wife decide to keep the collection I leave it absolutely to her whether she leaves it to my son or to
the nation or to Evelyn Herbert. I suggest
however that she consult Dr Gardiner and Mr Carter on the subject .
Written entirely by me October 29, 1919.
CARNARVON
Two witnesses signed:
MARCUS B JOHNSON, 9 Henrietta
Street , London W1 Surgeon
FREDERICK WALTER GROVE, 1 Seamore Place, London W1. Butler”
A full reproduction of the last Will and Testament of George Edward Stanhope Molyneux Herbert ( 1866-1923) will appear in William Cross's new book " Carnarvon, Carter and Tutankhamun Revisited : The hidden truths and doomed relationships" Due out 4 November, 2016.
