Various Photographers

2 volumes, containing approximately 190 photographs, many mammoth-plate, by CHARLES CLIFFORD, LUIS LEON MASSON, FRATELLI ALINARI, and FRATELLI D'ALESSANDRI, among others, albumen, salt, and carbon prints, each mounted, some numbered in the negative, blindstamped on the image or album leaf, and with calligraphic title in pencil or ink on the leaf or facing page, circa 1865.  Elephant folios, green cloth and blue leather (2)

A detailed report for each plate is beyond the scope of this condition report; those wishing condition reports on specific plates are welcome to contact the Photographs Department. The strength and richness of the tonality of the individual prints varies throughout the volumes, from fair to generally excellent. Occasional tears and liquid soiling are visible on some of the plates. The plates in the Spain album are numbered sequentially in pencil on the image. The album leaves are appropriately age-darkened at the periphery. Some of the leaves exhibit foxing and soiling, which mostly does not affect the prints. Many of the leaves have a slight wave to them, are creased, or have small tears. The album covers are soiled, worn, scuffed, and scraped, and the extremities are rubbed with resultant losses. While the spine of the Italian album is no longer present, the binding of both albums remains strong. The leather spine of the Spain album is gilt-stamped: 'Tony Dutreux, Voyage en Espagne, 1865.'
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

These albums are believed to have belonged originally to the Luxembourg engineer Tony Dutreux (1838-1933), a graduate of L’Ecole Centrale Paris who later became a highly influential figure in the metals industry.  The present volumes were likely part of a larger set of albums recording Dutreux’s extensive travels in Europe, the Middle East, and the Orient; another album from his collection is owned by the National Library of Luxembourg. 

Additional images in these albums may be found in our online catalogue.