Egypt and the Middle East Travel Journals.
[Mounsey (George W.)]. Three manuscript journal accounts of a trip through Egypt and the Middle East in 1858/1859, containing diary entries, notes, ink sketches, and watercolours. The author, George W. Mounsey (later Mounsey-Heysham), had several travelling companions, including the artist Hercules Brabazon Brabazon. Two of the journals take a diaristic form whilst the third is more of a prose account of his travels. The sketches and watercolours depict the landscape, people, flowers and details of Ancient Egyptian ruins. The journey takes them to many of the famous ancient sites of Egypt, before travelling east to the Holy Land, through Palestine and Syria, before ending in Lebanon. Alongside general commentary on the scenery, weather and sites visited, the account describes confrontations with Bedouin tribes, discussions on art and architecture, and details of the flora he encounters.
Three octavo journals (two 204mm x 141mm, the other 211mm x 137mm), ink manuscript in a single hand, approximately 192 (including 8 tipped-in); 145 (1 tipped-in); 95 leaves, foliation provided in manuscript, numerous half-page and marginal watercolours and pen and ink sketches, notes and quotes on the verso of leaves with the main account generally on rectos, travel document with the names William Marshall, H.B. Brabazon, George a. Robins and G.W. Mounsey loosely inserted in the first journal, a few other paper/card slips with illustrations tipped-in as well as a few loosely inserted, leather bindings, marbled edges and endpapers, slightly scuffed and rubbed.

A fascinating account of a mid-19th century journey through Egypt and into the Holy Land. The account begins November 27th 1858 and the final dated entry is June 2nd 1859. Mounsey is not known as an artist, but the sketches and watercolours combine well with the detailed descriptions of his travels. The writing conveys the author's enthusiasm for the archaeological sites and scenery. In Egypt, they travel to Luxor, Memphis, Sakkara, Cairo, Heliopolis, Thebes, etc., where he produces sketches/watercolours of Ancient Egyptian ruins and art. He expresses his fondness of "the delicious nomad life" when travelling through the desert into Palestine, despite encountering difficulties with the Bedouin tribes. The journey continues to Khan Younis, Gaza City, Bayt Jibrin, Jerusalem and onwards to Damascus, with the diary stopping when he reaches Baalbek, Lebanon. Mounsey was a lawyer from Cumbria who lived in London. It is not known how he made Brabazon's acquaintance, but the artist is well-known for having travelled extensively in the region and these journals provide a glimpse into one of his journeys.
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