[TRAPAUD, CAPTAIN ELISHA.

Twenty Views in India. London, 1788]

Condition Note:

first edition, 16 (of 20) sepia aquatint views by J. Wells after Trapaud, 2 (of 3) leaves of descriptive letterpress text (for plates 5-20), lacking 4 plates (nos. 1-4) and leaf of accompanying text, occasional light marginal soiling or very light spotting and old repairs to margins (not affecting text or views)

Allan, Captain A. Views in the Mysore Country. [London: privately printed, 1794]
first edition, engraved title incorporating the dedication, 20 plain aquatint views by J. Wells after Captain Allan, 12pp. descriptive letterpress text, title slightly soiled

together 2 works bound in one volume, oblong folio (500 x 662mm.), contemporary red half morocco, manuscript label in ink on upper cover, uncut, blue cloth box, binding somewhat soiled

We are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described in our catalogue. 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 DISCUSSION CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

PROVENANCE

Scott of Harden, armorial bookplate

LITERATURE AND REFERENCES

Abbey Travel 417 (Trapaud) & 418 (Allan)

CATALOGUE NOTE

trapaud's views are exceedingly rare. A prospectus for this work appeared at the end of Trapaud's A Short Account of the Prince of Wales's Island, or Pulo Peenang (London: John Stockdale, 1788) which reads "Proposals for a Subscription, (Begun, and largely entered into, in India) for the publication of Twenty Original Views, Taken in different parts of India, by Elisha Trapaud, Esq. Captain in the Engineer Corps on the Madras Establishment; to be divided into Two Sets [Numbers 1-10 and Numbers 11-20]. The above are to be engraved in Aqua Tinta, of the same size as the Drawings and to each plate will be an Explanatory Index..."

'Lt. General Elisha Trapaud (c.1750-1828) was an engineer and amateur artist. Before going to Sumatra he had published a poem, The Oeconomy of Happiness and other writings. In 1776 he went to Sumatra as an East India Company factor, staying for two years. He returned to London in 1778 but then joined the Madras Engineers in 1779. In 1783 it appears that Trapaud joined the expedition led by Captain John Macdonald to survey Sumatra in 1783 which took three years and in 1786 he went to Penang. Trapaud was promoted to Lt. General in 1814 and died in 1828. Some of his watercolours of India and Penang are in the India Office Library, London.' (Head, R. Catalogue of Paintings, Drawings, Engravings and Busts in the collections of the Royal Asiatic Society, London, 1991)

allan's views in the mysore country is rarely found complete with the text and plates as present here (see also lots 4 & 5).