HOSE, A DESCRIPTIVE ALBUM OF PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE COUNTRY AND PEOPLE OF SARAWAK. [C.1884-C.1900]

INSCRIBED PRESENTATION COPY (see footnote), oblong folio (305 x 380mm.), 157 PLATINUM PRINTS (average 104 x 146mm., or the reverse), mounted on thick card, recto and verso, each with a printed caption pasted on the mount, original brown half morocco over green cloth boards, flat spine gilt, upper cover titled in gilt, one mount detached, minor wear to extremities, lacking spine cover

PRESENTED to His Highness The Tuan Mudah of Sarawak, Bertram Brooke (1876-1965), thence by descent to the present owner

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."

RARE PHOTOGRAPHS, presented to "His Highness The Tuan Mudah of Sarawak, with compliments from R. Shelford and Charles Hose". The Tuan Muda, Bertram Brooke (1876-1965), was a member of the family of White Rajahs who ruled Sarawak for a hundred years. His title of Tuan Muda ("Little Lord") reflects his status as the heir presumptive to the Rajah of Sarawak.  Charles Hose (1863-1929) went to Borneo in 1884 as a civil servant to work for Charles Brooke the Rajah of Sarawak, founder of the Sarawak Museum. Hose eventually became a member of the Supreme Council and a judge of the Supreme Court. When he retired he returned to Norfolk where he spent his days teaching about Sarawak and its peoples. His most significant publication was The Pagan Tribes of Borneo (see lot 271). Hose was an enthusiastic photographer and the Sarawak Civil Service List states: "While in Sarawak [Hose] distinguished himself as a geographer, anthropologist and collector of natural history specimens. His numerous journeys in the Baram District, which he was the first Officer to explore thoroughly, brought him into contact with many interior tribes, who, through his influence, came under Sarawak control and made peace with Sarawak tribes". Robert Shelford (1872–1912), was a British entomologist and museum administrator, working as the Curator of the Sarawak Museum in Kuching. 

The album opens with a series of images taken in and around Kuching, the capital of Sarawak, however the majority of photographs show Dyak life and culture (including head-hunting), with ethnographic portraits, architectural views and cultural pursuits.