Manuscript Travel Journal--Beijing to Hankou

MANUSCRIPT JOURNAL IN FRENCH, small 4to (224 x 170mm.), 64 pages, pen and ink on paper, a few pages in pencil, modern blue cloth, original wrappers bound in, upper wrapper titled in ink "V - de Pekin à Hankao"

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."

AN INTERESTING ACCOUNT OF RAIL TRAVEL IN CHINA. According to a list on the inside cover, this is the fifth in a series of eight manuscript journals covering the author's travels from Paris to Macao. The present volume covers the author's journey from Beijing to Hankou ("Pekin à Hankao"), and records a period of sixteen days from Friday 6th November to Saturday 21st November. The author travelled on the Peking–Hankow Railway, which was built on the northern bank of the Yangtze River between 1897 and 1906 by a Belgian company backed by French financing. Although the exact year is not stated the dates and days given fit the years 1896, 1903 or 1908.