Lot 1201
  • 1201

Staunton, George

Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
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Description

  • An authentic account of an embassy from the King of Great Britain to the Emperor of China. London: G. Nicol, 1797, FIRST EDITION, 2 volumes text, 4to, and one atlas volume folio, together 3 volumes, (vol.1) [2], xxxiv, 518pp.; (vol.2) xx, 626pp., text volumes with 2 engraved portraits, atlas volume with 101 engraved plates (i.e. 44 plates as called for, and an additional 57 duplicate and triplicate plates in various proof states)
  • paper
SYMES, MICHAEL. An account of an embassy to the Kingdom of Ava. London: W. Bulmer and Co., 1800, FIRST EDITION, xxiv, 504pp., 26 engraved maps and plates (of 27), lacks "View of the Imperial Court" (see lot 1245 for a complete copy)

TURNER, SAMUEL. An account of an embassy to the court of the Teshoo Lama, in Tibet. London: W. Bulmer and Co., 1800, xxviii, 474pp., folding engraved map, 9 engraved plates (of 13), lacks plates 7, 8, 11, and 12 (see lot 1292 for a complete copy)



Together 4 text volumes on large and thick paper, 4to (326 x 250mm.), and one atlas volume, folio (570 x 415mm.), together 5 volumes, the text bound in uniform contemporary red straight-grained morocco gilt, wide gilt drawer-handle borders on the covers, spines gilt in compartments with double raised bands, inner dentelles, blue-green drab endpapers, gilt edges, titled on the spines "Oriental Embassies", the atlas bound in near matching full contemporary red straight-grained morocco, spine gilt in compartments with double raised bands, wide gilt turn-ins and matching inside joints, pale blue watered silk endpapers, gilt edges

Literature

Staunton: Löwendahl 697; Cordier, Sinica 2381-3; Lust 545 & 547; Symes: Cordier, Indosinica 445; Turner: Yakushi (1994) T277a

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."

Catalogue Note

A MAGNIFICENT COPY of the official account of Lord Macartney's voyage and embassy to the Qianlong emperor in 1792-94, with many of the plates in two or more states, together with two other works in a handsome uniform binding.