Griffith, David Knox

11 albumen prints (216 x 272mm.), individually mounted on thick card (305 x 382mm.), one signed by Griffith in ink on the image, together with reproductions of the list of 'Griffith's Views of the Plague' (Hong Kong, 5th July 1894) and a poem by Griffith of 'Hongkong's Jubilee 1891', preserved in a modern brown cloth clamshell box, 4 prints re-mounted, some spotting to mounts

Bennett, T. History of Photography in China: Western Photographers 1861-1879 (Quaritch, 2010)

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."

RARE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE HONG KONG BUBONIC PLAGUE OF MAY 1894, which killed over 2,500 people. 'In July 1894 Griffith issued a series of photographs of the event, two of which were engraved and published in The Graphic on 4th August 1894' (Bennett, p.275). Griffith was 'a major figure in early Chinese photography... Spending around 25 years in China he joined William Saunders in Shanghai as an assistant, by 1871 at the latest. He travelled extensively in China and was the author of numerous articles on photography. He left Saunders in 1875 and in 1878 joined Afong's Hong Kong studio as manager where he stayed until 1883. In 1884 he opened his own Hong Kong studio which he ran until at least 1895.' (Bennett, p.413)