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Major Supplier of Egyptian Mummies Wrapped
in Linen sent across the Atlantic for U.S. Paper Shortage
DECK JUNIOR, Isaiah (1792-1853) His father a pharmaceutical and mineral dealer opened a shop in 1825 then moved to new quarters at 9 King’s Parade. In 1843 he also opened a chemists shop at 6 Victoria Terrace in Leamington Spa. This was run by his son Isaiah Deck JUNIOR. The son closed the shop in 1848. He went to Egypt in search of emeralds during the 1850’s, and there he conceived an incredible plan to satisfy America’s desperate shortage of rags for paper making. Deck shipped tons of Egyptian mummies across the Atlantic for making paper pulp from their linen wrappings. In 1855 he published a paper on his success. Very rare autograph letter signed ‘Isaiah Deck le jeune’, in French, one and a half pages on both sides. Victoria Terrace, l Leamington, 1 December 1845. To Monsieur Boutigny [Pierre Hippolyte Boutigny) professor of chemistry in Paris, about the invention and design of a lamp. 10X8 inches, integral address leaf with Deck’s visiting card affixed to the back of the leaf. Left margin of letter tipped to an album page..................$175.00
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