West Indies Photographs--Johnston, Captain (later Major General) William Walker Whitehall.

78 albumen prints (the largest 150 x 215mm., but various sizes, including some trimmed to an oval), on 48 loose sheets (250 x 330mm.), mostly one or two to a side, mostly recto only, one unmounted, each sheet preserved within an archival sleeve, some minor surface wear and fading

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."

Very rare early photographs of life, views and people in the West Indies and of the West Indian Regiment, including: Nassau, Bahamas (36), Great Isaac Cay lighthouse (2), St Lucia (7; of which 3 form a panorama), Kingston, Jamaica (12) and Port of Spain, Trinidad (1); together with various portraits and groups and three professional photographs of Havana, Cuba. Johnston (1835-1886), was an officer in the 1st West India Regiment of Foot, who had been born in Trinidad, the son of  the Colonial Secretary Hon. Thomas Francis Johnston. In 1858 Johnston was in Wales, where he appears to have taken his first photograph (see lot 179). In late 1858 or early 1859 he returned to the headquarters of the West India Regiment at Nassau, until 1866 when they moved to Kingston, Jamaica. In 1865 Johnston was involved in the Morant Bay Rebellion, Jamaica and the unmounted photograph shows British officers (including Johnston) during this time, with their names in pencil on the reverse.