Lot 1499
  • 1499

KAZUMASA OGAWA, THE IMPERIAL CITY OF PEKING, CHINA, TOKYO, 1906, TWO VOLUMES, LIMITED EDITION, NUMBER 53 OF 500 COPIES

Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 USD
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Description

  • book , paper
photographs of palace buildings of Peking, compiled by the Imperial Museum of Tokyo, collotyped from the negatives taken by K. Ogawa, with explanatory notes in Japanese by C. Itō, English by T. Tomiogi, Chinese by A. Aoyagi, 172 of 172 collotype plates including some folding (two and three-part) panoramas, text in original wrappers and loose plates (as issued) housed in two original portfolios with decorative covers

Provenance

Acquired in Tokyo, Japan, circa 1987. 

Condition

The folio cover boards all are separated and frayed. The plates with text including the table of contents and notes with wear and some with foxing and light minor staining. Plates of photos are all overall in good condition, some with wear, small stains, and minor tears along the edges but all the images in good condition. Some of the paper tape keeping the panoramas attached torn.
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.

Catalogue Note

The present lot is among the most important works depicting the Imperial palace buildings of Beijing. In the aftermath of the Boxer Rebellion, the Imperial University of Tokyo established a commission in 1901 to study the arrangement, construction and decoration of the palace buildings of the Forbidden City and other palace grounds. Kazumasa Ogawa (1860-1929), considered a pioneer in the development of photography and photomechanical printing in Japan, was appointed as the official photographer and editor.