Frith, Francis

2 volumes, folio (435 x 325mm.), oval albumen print portrait of Francis Frith, captioned 'Portrait Turkish Summer Costume' on the mount and dated 1857 (185 x 145mm.), and 75 albumen print views (155 x 220mm., or the reverse), most signed, numbered and dated 1857 in the image, individually mounted on card, with engraved captions on the mount, each plate with accompanying descriptive letterpress, contemporary maroon half morocco over brown cloth boards, upper covers titled in gilt 'Egypt and Palestine', gilt edges, [Blackmer 1942; Gernsheim, Incunabula 88; Goldschmidt & Naef 61], some light spotting, dust-soiling and waterstains (mostly marginal), some fading to images, neat repairs to binding

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."

This work was the product of three journeys Frith made to the Middle East between 1856 and 1859. Journeying up the Nile and subsequently to the Holy Land and Syria, Frith "took pioneering photographs of the landscape and of monuments, often under dangerous and difficult conditions. He slept in tombs and caves and was attacked by wild dogs and brigands." He travelled with several cameras and worked "inside an unventilated tent... in desert temperatures with collodion chemicals that were prone to boil on the glass-plate negatives" (ODNB).