Thompson, Charles Thurston

folio (585 x 410mm.), presentation copy, inscribed by Prince Albert: "Hommage à la Princesse Mathilde, en souvenir de l'Exposition Universelle de Paris 1855. Osborne le 23 juillet 1856", engraved title, and 52 albumen prints mounted on card, contemporary red morocco gilt, sides with ornate borders and seven bees in an oval at each corner, upper cover with a large capital letter "M" surmounted by an imperial crown, lower cover with the arms of Prince Albert, spine in compartments with raised bands gilt, gilt edges, watered ivory silk endpapers, red morocco turn-ins, occasional light foxing

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 copy of this early photographically-illustrated publication in a magnificent presentation binding. Princess Mathilde Bonaparte (1820-1904) received this gift in response to permission granted by Napoleon III to allow Thurston Thompson to photograph works of art in the Louvre at the Universal Exhibition in Paris of 1855.

In 1853 Prince Albert embarked on a project to create an album of prints of all of Raphael's works. This was later expanded to include related drawings and engravings, intended to show the evolution of a painting from the first sketch to the final work. Prince Albert contacted owners of Raphael drawings so that the 'Raphael Collection' in Windsor might be as complete as possible. Since many of Raphael's works had never been reproduced in any form, the Prince perceived that photography might be brought into use. As Carl Ruland, a librarian who was responsible for the material in the Print Room in Windsor Castle and who completed the project after the Prince Consort's death wrote in the introduction to the finished publication, "most fortunately the newly invented art of photography stepped in to supply the means for the introduction into the collection of facsimiles of unimpeachable fidelity". This project was one of the first applications of photography towards the creation of a catalogue raisonné of a major Italian Renaissance artist.