- 217
Staunton, Sir George
Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 GBP
Log in to view results
bidding is closed
Description
- An Authentic Account of an Embassy from the King of Great Britain to the Emperor of China... taken chiefly from the papers of his Excellency the Earl of Macartney, Embassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Emperor of China. London: W. Bulmer and Co. for G. Nicol, 1797
- paper
FIRST EDITION, 3 volumes (2 of text and atlas), 4to (286 x 222mm.) and folio (595 x 435mm.), text with 2 engraved frontispieces, one plate and 26 illustrations in text, atlas with 44 engraved plates and maps, including one folding and 6 double-page, text bound in contemporary tree calf, atlas in original boards, text with new endpapers and rebacked retaining much of original spines, atlas also rebacked
Provenance
"Lucy Benett Oc[to]ber. 12 1809 the Gift of her Brother Aylmer Lambert", inscription on endleaf (Lambert was a botanist and one of the first fellows of the Linnean Society); Pyt House Library, Tisbury, rubber-stamp
Literature
Cordier, Sinica 2381–83; Löwendahl 697; Lust 545 and 547; Western Travellers in China 47
Condition
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."
"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
The official account of Lord Macartney's voyage and embassy to the Qianlong emperor in 1792-94, “compiled by the Secretary (and Minister Plenipotentiary in the absence of the Ambassador) Sir George Leonard Staunton. Macartney’s chief object was to establish diplomatic relations with China. However, it is only on p.411 in vol. 1 that the reader disembarks on Chinese soil” (Löwendahl).
Loosely inserted is an autograph letter signed from Macartney regarding a dispute over his house.