W.M.F. Petrie to K. Pearson, 14th June 1895.- External URL
- Correspondence Details
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Sent From (Definite): Sir William Matthew Flinders PetrieSent To (Definite): Karl PearsonDate: 14 Jun 1895
- Current Holder(s)
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Holder (Definite): University College London: Special Collections
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Sent fromSir William Matthew Flinders Petrie
14 Jun 1895
Description:
‘My dear Sir,
As to the skulls & skeletons I have no particular wish to divide them, if there be any suitable place where they can be properly preserved. The cloisters at U.C. would not do; for, though dry enough when ventilated, any box or books kept there soon becomes damp, & when the Edwards boxes were there for some months I found that every wettable thing got wet.
My reason for proposing a division was that 50 or 100 were more likely to get properly kept than a huge quanitity of one age, which would be felt afterwards to occupy too great a share of our institution. Prof. Burdon Sanderson made the best suggestion, when we were discussing the matter at Prof. Foster’s last night. This was to make a trust of the whole collection, divide it & let the three trustees keep their eyes on what becomes of the portions in future. He seemed to think that such a course would be the most satisfactory.
Of course in speaking of dividing them I only propose that this should be done for preserving them after a sufficient quantity of measurements have been taken. For any further work, I do not see that their distribution over four or five of the principal museums would make any great bar to further research.
If a proper home can be found for all together, so much the better.
Now I want to know exactly (1) what shall be done now with the boxes? I propose to move them into the Latin room unpack each & stack the skull & bones in the women’s Reading room adjoining.
(2) Who will work on them? Mr Thompson will do some; Dr Walker will also give some weeks in July & August; & Mr Sperrell[?] will help. But who will boss the business? I cannot possible look to it myself having my hands quite full with my 250 other cases.
(3) Who will be responsible for clearing out, repacking, & transfer to final abode? I cannot undertake any responsibility or spare any of my friends for that, as I shall have the very tightest fit to get through my own work & distribute my 250 cases of pottery.
I want to hear your mind about these points, as I have to clear the parties[?] for the Commissioner, which comes just in the midst of our great crush of work.
Yours very truly,
W.M. Flinders Petrie.’
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Sent toKarl Pearson
14 Jun 1895
Description:
‘My dear Sir,
As to the skulls & skeletons I have no particular wish to divide them, if there be any suitable place where they can be properly preserved. The cloisters at U.C. would not do; for, though dry enough when ventilated, any box or books kept there soon becomes damp, & when the Edwards boxes were there for some months I found that every wettable thing got wet.
My reason for proposing a division was that 50 or 100 were more likely to get properly kept than a huge quanitity of one age, which would be felt afterwards to occupy too great a share of our institution. Prof. Burdon Sanderson made the best suggestion, when we were discussing the matter at Prof. Foster’s last night. This was to make a trust of the whole collection, divide it & let the three trustees keep their eyes on what becomes of the portions in future. He seemed to think that such a course would be the most satisfactory.
Of course in speaking of dividing them I only propose that this should be done for preserving them after a sufficient quantity of measurements have been taken. For any further work, I do not see that their distribution over four or five of the principal museums would make any great bar to further research.
If a proper home can be found for all together, so much the better.
Now I want to know exactly (1) what shall be done now with the boxes? I propose to move them into the Latin room unpack each & stack the skull & bones in the women’s Reading room adjoining.
(2) Who will work on them? Mr Thompson will do some; Dr Walker will also give some weeks in July & August; & Mr Sperrell[?] will help. But who will boss the business? I cannot possible look to it myself having my hands quite full with my 250 other cases.
(3) Who will be responsible for clearing out, repacking, & transfer to final abode? I cannot undertake any responsibility or spare any of my friends for that, as I shall have the very tightest fit to get through my own work & distribute my 250 cases of pottery.
I want to hear your mind about these points, as I have to clear the parties[?] for the Commissioner, which comes just in the midst of our great crush of work.
Yours very truly,
W.M. Flinders Petrie.’
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