Photographs

Oblong folio (298 x 400mm.), over 200 matt and glossy photographs (most 950 x 120mm.), mounted on thick card, recto and verso, manuscript captions in English in ink on the mounts, original green cloth, occasional minor wear, some captions (names?) erased, mounts loose or detached, extremities rubbed

Western Travellers in China 106

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 album provides a record of a British expatriate's life and travels in China at the beginning of the twentieth century. The photographer would appear to have worked for a trading company in Hankow, part of present-day Wuhan. The album starts with images of Tsintau (Qingdao) showing German-style residential and civic buildings, the Tsingtau races of 1907, views of a fire at the godowns of a European company (A.P. & Co.); these are followed by images of Europeans relaxing and bathing at Kuling in Jiangxi province and the Wuchang lakes plus a series of views of Laushan (Laoshan), the hilly area outside Qingdao. There are then 11 photographs of employees of A.P. & Co. celebrating Christmas in Hankow in 1908.

A few photographs represent the expatriate resort of Kuling in 1909 and scenes on the Yangtze near Nanjing. Thereafter are all views of buildings, the river and boats taken in Hankow, followed by a number of photographs of people and places including a couple of the Shanghai races of 1911. The following photographs feature Chinese people, foreigners enjoying a river trip near Shanghai, then a lively series of photographs of races and an expatriate Gymkhana in Hankow in 1910, including ladies in full Edwardian dress and large hats engaged in a race, and a photograph of ladies in rickshaws ready to be pulled by expatriates (in a race?). These are followed by photographs of tennis, and 3 panorama-style photographs of Shanghai, including one just down river of Soochow Creek and a view of the creek. The final page ranges from Loochow Pagoda to Ichang, the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, Chinese execution and the Tientsin Fire bell.

The album is of considerable merit in that the majority of the photographs are of places and scenes other than the more 'usual sights of Beijing and Shanghai" (Western Travellers in China).