- 139
Griffith, John.
Estimate
2,000 - 3,000 GBP
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Description
- Manuscript journal kept on passage to New Zealand on the Indian Empire
- ink on paper
with regular entries providing a lively account of a long sea voyage in the age of sail, including acute observations of his fellow passengers, customs of sailors including the "dead horse ceremony" that marked a month at sea, 74 pages, plus blanks, 8vo, written lengthways down the page, Gravesend to the South Atlantic, 10 December 1863 to 10 February 1864, stab-stitched in a crude jute-sacking cover, in a collector's box with modern typescript transcript, light staining, occasional nicks and tears
Condition
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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
"...You may see some that seem very unsuited to take this chance in a colony among the passengers - sickly looking or delicate - while others seem to be the greatest scamps in existence..."
The poignant record of the voyage to New Zealand of an emigrant, forming part of the great movement of those seeking opportunities in Britain's settler colonies. John Griffith, who was from Caernarvonshire, was a young man, evidently with some education, who records celebrating his 21st birthday on the Indian Empire. Sadly there was an epidemic of scarlet fever on board. Griffith mentions the death of the ship's cook and another passenger, and he himself succumbed to the disease and died shortly after his last entry in his journal.
The poignant record of the voyage to New Zealand of an emigrant, forming part of the great movement of those seeking opportunities in Britain's settler colonies. John Griffith, who was from Caernarvonshire, was a young man, evidently with some education, who records celebrating his 21st birthday on the Indian Empire. Sadly there was an epidemic of scarlet fever on board. Griffith mentions the death of the ship's cook and another passenger, and he himself succumbed to the disease and died shortly after his last entry in his journal.