Lot 10
  • 10

Blagdon, Francis William and James Hunter

Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 USD
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Description

  • A Brief History of Ancient and Modern India, from the Earliest Periods of Antiquity to the Termination of the Late Mahratta War. [Bound with] Picturesque Scenery in the Kingdom of Mysore from Forty Drawings Taken on the Spot. London: Edward Orme, 1805 [but c. 1828]
  • Paper, ink, leather
2 volumes bound in one, large folio (22 1/16 x 16 1/2 in.; 560 x 420 mm). 68 vibrantly hand-colored plates, including stipple-engraved portrait frontispiece of Tipoo Sultan, 2 engraved pictorial additional titles, hand-colored stipple-engraved folding plate of "Judges and Court Officials," and 64 hand-colored aquatint plates, text watermarked 1820-1822, plates watermarked 1827-1828; one plate with closed tear to margin ("Multra Fort"), not affecting image, 3 plates with minor discoloration ("South East View of the Rock of Tritchinopoly," "Multura Fort," and "East View of Bangalore"), very occasional and minor spotting, generally not affecting images. Half brown calf over marbled boards, gilt dentelles to inner margins of calf, red morocco label to upper cover, gilt-lettered with elaborate boarder in gilt, all edges speckled; rebacked retaining original spine. 

Literature

Abbey, Travel 425 (cf. 424); cf. Lipperheide 1478; cf. Tooley (1954) 93 

Condition

One plate with closed tear to margin ("Multra Fort"), not affecting image, 3 plates with minor discoloration ("South East View of the Rock of Tritchinopoly," "Multura Fort," and "East View of Bangalore"), very occasional and minor spotting, generally not affecting images. Rebacked retaining original spine.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

Blagdon and Hunter's works were originally published separately, then in parts (1802-1805), and then as one volume from 1805. The skilfully colored images present here richly depict the dramatic landscapes of India as well as scenes of everyday life. Arguably one of the finest examples of the early colorplate books of the region.