Egyptological Collection

The egyptological collection originates largely from the holdings of the former Institute of Ancient Near Eastern studies of the University of Zurich. The donation of several thousand books from the private collection of Professor Cesar E. Dubler (1915-1966)  forms the basis of this collection. In 1957, Dubler was associate professor of Islamic languages and cultures and of oriental history, at the University of Zurich. In addition to the regular acquisitions, the collection is growing continuously through donations and smaller bequests (Nachlässe). One of them, the book Nachlass of Prof. Peter A. Kaplony (1933-2011), constitutes a large addition of around 4,500 items. Moreover, the library could acquire the collection of the Ägyptologie Forum Zürich in 2022, substantially extending its holdings with 3,000 books.

The collection contains large-format works, including several volumes of plates with engravings as well as individual volumes with early excavation plans and drawings. Thematically, archaelogical finds are represented in the form of (often colored) drawings. The folios are kept in closed stacks.

Born in Barcelona, Cesar Dubler studied chemistry at the ETH Zurich from 1933 to 1938. In 1938, he obtained the title of Doktor Technischen Wissenschaften in chemistry and two years later, graduated as doctor of philosophy in Ibero-romance studies and oriental languages at the University of Zurich. There, he was appointed PD for Ibero-romance studies and oriental languages in 1947. In 1957, he became associate professor at UZH (Islamic languages and cultures, oriental history in particular). 

From 1948 on, Dubler also headed his father's company in Barcelona, leading around 800 employees. In 1961, he became a corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences of Córdoba (Spain). Dubler's research focussed on the influence of Greek antiquity on the Arabic world as well as on the remanence of the ancient East in Islam.

Peter Kaplony, the son of a career officer, came to Switzerland in December 1944 and was granted Swiss citizenship in 1958. He studied ancient history, egyptology and arabic language and literature at the Universities of Zurich and Basel. He received his doctorate in Zurich in 1959 and his habilitation in 1964. From 1970 until his retirement in 2000, he was assistant professor of egyptology at the Institute of Ancient Near Eastern studies of the University.