Tatikian, B.

4to (330 x 240mm.), 38 hand-coloured lithographed plates, with printed or manuscript ink captions in French, nineteenth-century morocco-backed green boards, [cf. Atabey 293 and 294; cf. Blackmer 1928, 1929 and 1930], some light spotting and staining, some marginal nicks and short  tears not affecting lithographed area, some plates with shorter fore-edge margin, binding slightly rubbed, minor wear to fore-edge of boards

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 figures, which include a wide range of nationalities and professions, are notable for the naturalistic qualities which set them apart from so many other stylised costume plates. "[They] seem to be based on real people, and are not idealized... [depicting] the costume of ordinary people of the Ottoman Empire'' (Atabey). Tatikian's prints were sold individually, so that purchasers could select those that interested them most. For this reason, 'collections' of Tatikian prints tend to vary in number and content. Many of the plates depict the costume of Smyrna, where Tatikian's lithographic press was based.