Soltykoff, Prince Alexis

First edition, elephant folio (867 x 570mm.), lithographed title printed in gold and tints, 36 tinted lithographed plates by de Rudder (30), Girard (5) and de Rudder & Girard (1) after drawings by Soltykoff, some plates with the additional imprint of 'Gache, éditeur', contemporary French red morocco by E. Niedré, imperial Russian arms gilt to sides, spine in compartments with raised bands gilt, gilt edges, some light spotting, some staining and rubbing to binding

Robert & Maria Travis, book label (sale in these rooms 26 May 2005, lot 262)

the condition of this lot is as described in the catalogue description
"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 magnificent copy of this very rare publication of views and ceremonial processions in India, the Himalayas and Sri Lanka, which was awarded the grand gold medal of the Emperor of Russia.

The Russian traveller, writer and artist, Prince Alexis Soltykoff (1806-1859) made several journeys in India and Sri Lanka between 1841 and 1846 where he produced wonderful drawings of the people, landscapes, processions, hunting scenes and ceremonies. This splendid work was awarded the "Grande Médaille d'Or de S.M. l'Empereur de Russie" and bears the Imperial Russian arms to the sides.

This edition is the best, with the fine tinted lithographed plates reproduced in large folio format, showing them at their most spectacular, and depicting views and scenes in Sri Lanka, Madras, Madurai, Travnancore, Gwalior, Lucknow, Calcutta, Delhi, Lahore (and the Punjab), Simla (and Kashmir) and the Himalayas.

The plates are titled as follows (numbered in the sequence they are bound in this copy) 1. Route de Colombo à Kandy (May 1841),  2. Ballet dramatique, représenté par des Malabars dans un bois à Ceylan, près de Colombo (April 1844), 3. Offrande d'un chef Kandien à un temple de Boudha (May 1841), 4. Prêtes de Boudha Cinghalis (April 1844), 5. Fête de la lune à Ceylan (May 1841), 6. Ceylan (May 1841), 7. Village de Catiganawa (May 1841), 8. Procession religieuse dans les galeries du convent de Ramisseram (June 1841), 9. Procession religieuse à Madras (July 1841), 10. Condgeveram, ville sainte dans le Carnatik aux environs de Madras, 11. Intérieur de convent du Condeveram (July 1841), 12. Une pagode à Madura (July 1841), 13. Eléphants du Raja de Travancor (May 1841), 14. Procession de la Déesse Kali (Calcutta, October 1841), 15. Les Bords du Gange près de Calcutta (1842), 16. Environs de Calcutta (October 1842), 17. Village Bengali des bords du Gange (November 1841), 18. Principale rue de Lucknow (January 1842), 19. Voyage en poste dans les plaines du Panjab (February 1842), 20. Une rue de Lahore (March 1842), 21. Chir Sing roi du Panjab et sa suite allant à la chasse aux environs de Lahore (March 1842), 22. Chir Sing Maharaja des Siks roi du Panjab avec sa suite (April 1842), 23. Habitation Européenne à Simla (May 1842), 24. Danse Cachemirienne (Himalayas, August 1842), 25. Temple rustique aux environs de Simla (Himalayas), 26. Une vallée du Kanaour (Himalayas, October 1842), 27. Aux environs de Tchini Gong (Himalayas, September 1842), 28. Déota, ou temple Payen, 29. Forêt de Mahasson, 30. Cortège du grand Mogol à Dehli, 31. Bords de l'Indus, à Saccar-Baccar (January 1843), 32. Chasse aux éléphants dans la Fôret de Karnigâl (Sri Lanka, March 1845), 33. La Cour du roi de Gwalior, 34. Achat d'Armes a Dehli, 35. Arbre Banian dans le Paria d'jungle, 36. Arbre Banian sur la Lisière du Paria.