[Robertson, James and Felice Beato]

5 albumen prints joined to form a panorama (183 x 1122mm.), titled 'Le Bosphore' in the negative in the lower left corner of the third print, mounted and backed on modern card, folding into twentieth-century cloth-backed boards, slipcase, some tonal 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."

A very rare early photographic panorama of Constantinople. An almost identical panorama is illustrated in B. Öztuncay's The Photographers of Constantinople (Istanbul, 2003), volume 2, no.699. The differences in the present panorama include a closed door in a small hexagonal building in the foreground of the second image, longer shadows and movement in shipping on the Bosphorus, all of which suggest a time difference of a few hours between the two panoramas. Robertson is the first photographer known to have taken a 360° panoramic photograph of Constantinople in May 1854.