[EGYPTOLOGY / HISTORY OF PHARAOHS] Kudemâ-i mülûk-i Misriye tarihi. 2 books set (Matbaa-i Ebüzziya Aded 58-59). [i.e. History of the Ancient Egyptian kings].

Istanbul: Matbaa-i Ebu'z-Ziya., [AH 1304], 1887. 1st Edition . Soft cover. Very Good. 12mo - over 6¾ - 7¾" tall. First and only edition of this rare book on the history of Egyptian kings (pharaohs) by an Ottoman statesman and one of the most famous painting collectors in history. Halil Serif was educated in France, where his studies have primarily been on the realm of political science. Following his return to Egypt, he became for a brief period the second secretary of Abbas Pasha, the governor (1848-1854), and a member of the Council of Justice (Ahkam-i Misriye). Thereafter, he became the Director of the Office of Translation and of the Bureau of Correspondence within the body of Egyptian foreign affairs administration for five years -approximately between 1850 and 1855. Said Pasha (1854-1863), the successor of Abbas as governor of Egypt, then appointed Halil Serif as the commissioner in charge of Egyptian exhibits sent to Paris for the international exposition of 1855. Also known for his own great painting collection, Halil Serif must have stayed in Paris for about a year. He was still there in February and March, 1856, when the Congress of Paris had met to institute peace after the Crimean War. The Ottoman Empire was represented at that Congress by its Grand Vizier, Mehmed Emin Ali Pasha. While Halil Bey was in St. Petersburg, an article on Egyptian history which he had written appeared in Mecmua-i Fünun (the journal of the newly founded Cemiyet-i Ilmiye-i Osmaniye), which began its publication in 1862. 'Kudema-i mülûk-i Misriye Tarihi' (History of the Ancient Egyptian Kings) was published serially in volumes of 1 and 2. Later on, the articles were published by Ebüzziya's press in the form of a book. These articles also brought Halil Bey to the notice of Europeans. (Source: Halil Serif Pasha: Ottoman diplomat and statesman, by DAVISON, Roderic H.).