Floyd, William Pryor.

Oblong 4to (305 x 375mm.), 45 albumen prints, including 3 folding panoramas (see footnote), mounted on card, recto only, letterpress title on lower corner of each mount, original crimson moiré cloth gilt border to sides, upper cover lettered in gilt 'Hong Kong Views', Floyd & Co. printed yellow label on upper pastedown (with address: 62 Queen's Road, Hong Kong), panorama of Hong Kong torn and creased with little loss, panorama of Macao with clean tear along one fold, binding somewhat rubbed

David McLean (1833-1908) first manager of the Shanghai office of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank (1865-1873); thence by descent to the present owner.

McLean was born on 4 February 1833 at Scotswall Farm, near Dunfermline in Fife. At sixteen he joined the National Bank of Scotland. In 1858 he took a post in the Far East with the Oriental Bank at Hong Kong and Shanghai. In 1865 he was appointed Manager of the Shanghai Office of the newly formed Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank. He remained there until 1873 when he was made Manager of the Bank's London Office, where he stayed until his retirement in 1899. McLean remained with the Bank as a Member of its London Committee for some years after his retirement. He died in June 1908.

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 rare album, including fine early Floyd photographs, overall with good dark tones, comprising 38 views of Hong Kong, including two 2-part panoramas, 3 views of Macao, including a 4-part panorama (signed in the negative) and 4 views of Canton (the last from a Dutton and Michaels negative of 1863). 'Floyd (1834-c.1900) had a long and distinguished photographic career in China producing work of a very high standard and operating, for a time, one of the most successful studios in the Far East. In the late 1860s Floyd was John Thomson's major competitor in Hong Kong.' (Bennett) His studio was located at 62 Queen's Road, Hong Kong from April 1867 until May 1869. (see Bennett, T. History of Photography in China, Western Photographers 1861-1879, London: Quaritch, 2010, pp.7-18).