Photographs--The Middle East

Oblong folio (255 x 350mm.), 103 albumen prints (84 prints: 212 x 270mm., or the reverse; 19 prints: 97 x 134mm., or the reverse), 55 part coloured or tinted of Japanese people and views, mounted recto and verso on card, most one to a side, the 19 smaller mounted 3 or 4 to a side, captioned on the mount in French in ink manuscript, contemporary black morocco-backed cloth, upper cover bindstamped 'Triomphante 1883-86', minor spotting or marginal dust-soiling

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."

The first photograph shows the French ironclad warship Triomphante (commissioned 1877; scrapped 1903), which was part of the French Far East Squadron, a naval grouping created for the duration of the Sino-French War (August 1884–April 1885), patrolling the China Coast and the seas around China and Japan. The album includes 63 photographs of Japanese people and views (including the Emperor and Empress in 1886), 4 views of Aden, 16 of Levantine people studies and 13 views of Egypt by Zangaki, including Cairo, the pyramids, Sphinx, Port Said and shipping on the Suez canal.