Military Costume of Turkey

Folio (400 x 322mm.), 30 SEPIA WATERCOLOUR DRAWINGS, and 32 HAND-COLOURED AQUATINT PROOF PLATES (average sheet size 310 x 240mm.), all but two of the proof plates with the engraver's name J[ohn] H[eaviside] Clark and neatly captioned in ink, each mounted on card, recto and verso, twentieth-century French pale calf, covers with decorative borders in blind and gilt, spine in compartments with raised bands, lettering piece, occasional light scattered marginal spotting, a few short tears to mounts (not affecting the drawings or plates), binding slightly rubbed

Librairie Orientale H. Samuelian, Paris (bookseller's ticket on front pastedown)

For the published work, see: Abbey, Travel 373; Atabey 812; Blackmer 1125; Colas 2059; Lipperheide 2388

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."

A COMPLETE SET OF 30 FINELY HAND-COLOURED PROOF OR PATTERN PLATES for The Military Costume of Turkey, excluding the frontispiece, WITH 28 ACCOMPANYING ORIGINAL SEPIA WATERCOLOUR DRAWINGS. TOGETHER WITH 2 ADDITIONAL SEPIA WATERCOLOUR DRAWINGS AND 2 ACCOMPANYING HAND-COLOURED PROOF COSTUME PLATES, THESE TWO APPARENTLY UNPUBLISHED, or for a similar work that we have been unable to trace.

"Persons from all parts of this immense empire, united in the pursuit of military distinction, present a strange association of figures and difference of hues. The Military Costume of Turkey, therefore, comprises a great variety of dresses, as well as men of countries distant from each other... The subjects which compose this selection, have been furnished by the liberality of a gentleman, who had stored his portfolio during his residence at Constantinople." (Preface to the published work, January 1, 1818)