Daniels, Major William Cooke.

Oblong 8vo (118 x 173mm.), inscribed by the photographer: "To my friend Sinclair, with the author's best wishes, Wm. Cooke Daniels", calligraphic manuscript title in black ink, letterpress article 'The Last Days of St. Pierre' by Fairfax Downey pasted recto and verso on 4 leaves, 42 platinum prints on thick paper (including 4 joined to form a folding panorama), recto only, all mounted on guards, many with pencil captions, 9pp. blue typescript descripitve list of photographs at end by Daniels, contemporary green morocco gilt, gilt edges

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."

These are among the earliest photographs of Saint Pierre, in the West Indies, showing the devastation after the volcanic eruption of Mount Pelée on 8 May 1902 which destroyed the town and killed almost the entire population of 30,000. William Cooke Daniels (c.1869-1918) took these photographs just days afterwards on the 12 and 13 May. The recipient of this album was a British photographer who owned a famous photographic shop in London, which supplied cameras used on the 1922 Mallory Everest expedition and on the Polar expeditions by Frank Hurley.