John Liston Byam Shaw A.R.W.S., R.I.

Julian Hartnoll, London;
Mrs Charlotte Frank, London, from whom bought by Sir David Scott, 18 June 1969

Laurence Hope (Adela Florence Nicholson), The Garden of Kama and other Love Lyrics from India, 1914, illustrated p. 2

SHEET Some discolouration throughout but otherwise in good stable condition. MEDIUM Good condition with fresh colours FRAME Held in a simple wood frame; under glass
"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."

This watercolour and the accompanying predella are the second of twenty-four illustrated pages painted by Byam Shaw for his cousin Adela Florence Nicholson's translation of The Garden of Kama and other Love Lyrics from India published in 1914 by William Heinemann Ltd. and written under the pseudonym Lawrence Hope. Another watercolour for this illustration was in the collection of Nicholas Byam Shaw and was included in the exhibition Byam Shaw, A Selection of Paintings and Book Illustrations at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford in 1986. The Garden of Kama, known in America as India's Love Lyrics, caused a stir when published. The authoress first tried to pass the poems as being just translations, but they were soon recognised as her own work. Somerset Maughan's short story The Colonel's Lady was loosely based on the ensuing scandal (for further information see, Lesley Blanche, Under a Lilac-Bleeding Star: Travels and Travellers, 1963)