- 52
Fortune, Robert
Estimate
400 - 600 GBP
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Description
- A Journey to the Tea Countries of China; including Sung-Lo and the Bohea Hills; with a short notice of the East India Company's Tea Plantations in the Himalaya Mountains. London: John Murray, 1852
- Printed Book
FIRST EDITION, 8vo (212 x 130mm.), initial illustrated title, lithographed map, 3 plates (2 tinted lithographs), engraved illustrations, modern half calf over marbled boards, gilt tooled spine with raised bands and green label, marbled endpapers and edges, slight spotting and browning, a few pencil markings, small tear to p.vii-viii, light offsetting from map
Provenance
City Liberal Club "20 Aug. 85", purple stamp on verso of title and p.398
Literature
Cordier, Sinica 2116; Hill (2004) 630; Western Travellers in China 69
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, 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."
"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
SCARCE. "Robert Fortune (1812-1880), Scottish botanist - one of the greatest 19th century plant hunters - first visited China in 1842, as a collector for the Royal Horticultural Society. In 1848 he returned to China, this time on behalf of the East India Company, to collect plants and seeds of the tea-shrub. The tea growing methods of the Chinese were secret so he had to disguise himself as a Chinese native, and by doing so, learnt their secret ways" (Western Travellers in China).