Malpière, D. Bazin de

FIRST EDITION, 2 volumes, folio (345 x 250mm.), 2 hand-coloured lithographed frontispieces, and 178 (84+94) hand-coloured plates, each with a leaf of descriptive text, 4 leaves of engraved music with hand-coloured title illustration, plan of Beijing, contemporary purple morocco-backed boards, spines tooled in gilt with raised bands, each volume housed in cloth-covered chemise with toggles, light overall browning and spotting, minor wear to bindings, front hinge in vol. 1 starting

Robert & Maria Travis, book label

Cordier, Sinica 69; Lipperheide 1531; Western Travellers in China 63

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."

"First edition, rare to be found complete, of this huge collection of attractively lithographed copies of scenes from Chinese life in the mid-Ch'ing period containing 180 hand-coloured lithographed plates by Deveria, Régnier, Schall, Schmit and Vidal after Castiglione, Pu-Qua, W. Alexander, Chambers, Dadley and others. This scarce work, issued from 1825 to 1827 in 30 parts, each containing 6 hand-coloured lithographic plates, is partly copied from the engraved plates in William Alexander's Picturesque Representations of the Dress and Manners of the Chinese (London, 1815) and from Mason's work The Costume of China - The Punishments of China (London, 1800-1801)" (Western Travellers in China).