[Trapaud, Captain (later General) Elisha.

first edition, folio (595 x 460mm.), 20 sepia aquatint views by John Wells after Elisha Trapaud, 3 leaves of descriptive letterpress text, contemporary diced calf, flat spine gilt, some light spotting and marginal dust soiling, first text leaf with darker dust soiling, binding worn

West Dean Park, Sussex, book label; John Frederick Duthoit A.R.I.B.A. (1873-1944), posthumous armorial bookplate

Abbey, Travel 417

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

trapaud's views of india are exceedingly rare. There is no record for a complete copy sold in over thirty years on ABPC (the Travis copy, sale in these rooms 26 May 2005, was incomplete), and the last copy that we could trace in Book Auction Records was sold in 1914. No title was issued.

"Lt. General Elisha Trapaud (1750-1828), soldier, engineer and artist, went to Sumatra in 1776 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)