Snouck Hurgronje, Christian.

First edition, 3 volumes (2 volumes text and atlas, titled 'Bilder-Atlas zu Mekka'), 8vo (242 x 164mm.) and 4to (363 x 270mm.), text with half-titles, 2 folding plans, errata leaf at end of volume 1, nineteenth-century buckram-backed marbled boards, atlas with printed contents leaf and 40 plates, comprising: 65 mounted collotypes on 30 leaves, 6 tinted lithographs and 4 chromolithographs, loose as issued in contemporary cloth-backed boards, printed title on upper cover, ties, a little light spotting to some plates or mounts, ties and spine somewhat worn, boards rather rubbed

cf. Wal, Durkje van der. Christian Snouck Hurgronje: The First Western Photographer in Mecca, 1884-1885 (Amsterdam: Rijksmuseum, 2011), pp.39ff.

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 respected Dutch orientalist, Hurgronje spent 1884-5 in Arabia, and published the result of his travels in Mekka and the accompanying atlas of photographs Bilder-Atlas zu Mekka in 1888-1889. Compiled on the eve of Western modernisation of Arabia, this important work is the largest single illustrated monograph on Makkah of its time. The first volume contains an historical survey of Makkah, the second describes the daily life of the inhabitants, based for the most part on the notes compiled by Snouck Hurgronje's Muslim informant from the East Indies, Abu Bakar. The plates are amongst the earliest published photographs illustrating Makkah and pilgrims from all parts of the Islamic world, taken by the author himself, and by a Makkah physician identified as Sayyid 'Abd al-Ghaffar.