Chapter 16: M. A. Mansoor: 1881 - 1968

Again, for several months there was a lull in activity relating to the collection of Amarna sculptures. Nor could the Mansoors sell any of their other important antiquities. By now , they had just about forgotten the museums, their Youngs, Cooneys, Rathbones, Rorimers, Bothmers and Mullers. They did not return to Europe either. Peace of mind and some rest were badly needed. Their finances were tragically depleted too, but what did it matter? They had survived all these years and Providence was still protecting the Tell-el-Amarna Collection.

On June 16, 1968, William received a telegram from his sisters, Mathilde and Elvira in Cairo. It informed him that their father had quietly died in his sleep. To his wife and his children he had been more than a husband and father. He was their friend, their companion, their teacher and the one who could always calm and comfort them in the bleakest days. To all, he had been one of the kindest men they ever knew. To his friends, he was loyal and helpful for life.

With him, an era was gone. His children could see him at work in his Gallery at Shepheard's. They remembered the good years. They remembered him in California. He had lived eighty-seven mostly happy years. His children were sad to see him go before he could enjoy seeing his Amarna sculptures in the museums of the world, before their complete vindication. But this feeling was soon forgotten when they realized that they had to work even harder, in his memory, for Amarna. He had left them with a legacy - a legendary Collection of Sculptured Masterpieces from Tell-el-Amarna - and a worthwhile purpose in life. Six months later, their mother Isabelle followed her husband. Their sister Mathilde, her husband and two children decided to join the rest of the family in California.

Copyright © 1995 Christine Mansoor

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