[India and Ceylon]

i) Symes, Michael. An Account of an Embassy to the Kingdom of Ava. London: J.Debrett, 1800, 2 engraved folding maps, 26 engraved plates (10 folding), plate volume only, [ESTC T134790]--Hassell, J. Calcographia: or, the Art of Multiplying, with perfection, Drawings. London: W.Flint, 1811, 8 etched plates. 2 works bound in one volume, 4to (268 x 202mm.), nineteenth-century half calf, [John Stuart Forbes, bookplate], light spotting and browning, minor offsetting, some plates possibly shaved, maps with a few small tears, binding lightly rubbed;

ii) Cordiner, James. A Description of Ceylon. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme, 1807. 2 volumes, 4to (263 x 210mm.), FIRST EDITION, volume one with advertisement leaf at end, 2 engraved maps and 23 plates (mostly tinted aquatints, 2 folding), contemporary calf [Abbey, Travel 409], [William Forbes, bookplate], minor offsetting and browning, scattered spotting or staining, hinges repaired, upper joints repaired; 



iii) Archer, Major [Edward Caulfield]. Tours in Upper India, and in parts of the Himalaya Mountains. London: Richard Bentley, 1833. 2 volumes, 8vo (223 x 141mm.), FIRST EDITION, half-titles, original cloth-backed boards, paper spine labels, [John Stuart Forbes, inscription on upper cover], some leaves and upper cover in volume one becoming detached, spotting and staining, minor loss of paper to a few leaves, boards soiled and worn, spines sunned (5)

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."

James Cordiner (1775–1836), was a Scottish Episcopal clergyman in Ceylon and India. In 1798-9 he was: "introduced to the Hon. Frederick North, later fifth earl of Guilford, and the first civil governor of Ceylon. As the chaplain to the garrison of Colombo had recently died, Cordiner was invited by North to take his place... He was chaplain from 1799 to 1804 and during this time he was also principal of all the schools on the island.

Cordiner set sail for England and reached Dover in February 1805; he then returned to his native north-east Scotland. While living at Peterhead he prepared his two-volume Description of Ceylon (1807) for the press. The work, which was handsomely illustrated with engravings taken from Cordiner's own drawings, described his experiences of the country including his observation of an elephant hunt, pearl fishing, and cinnamon cultivation, as well as a tour of the island. The second part of the work described, on the basis of second-hand information, details of military operations in 1803." (ONDB)