[INDIA — TRAVEL AND SPORTING SKETCHBOOK] — CHARLES F. GILBERT. 47 ORIGINAL WATERCOLORS AND TYPESCRIPT. [N.P.: N.D., CA.1880-1890]

Oblong folio (14 3/4 x 10 15/16 in.; 375 x 278mm). 47 original watercolors (from 3 15/16 x 5 7/8 in.; 100 x 150mm, to 13 7/8 x 9 7/8 in.; 351 x 251mm) tipped-in, accompanying typescript captions tipped-in; occasional spotting infrequently affecting watercolors, one closed marginal tear. Quarter black morocco over green cloth covered boards, margins gilt-ruled, flat spine with gilt rules, textured endpapers; rebacked, rubbing to extremities, some dampstaining and soiling to covers. [With]: Loosely inserted 7 illustrated invitations from the Gilberts, one letter from the editor of 'The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News', dated 24 April 1892, 1 group military photograph (8 x 10 in.; 150 x 220mm) mounted on heavy decoratively embossed card, 1 pencil sketch by Gilbert of two comic situations, one watercolor of a mock-medieval jousting scene; some if the invitations with splits to folds, rubbing and worming to watercolor.  

Oblong folio (14 3/4 x 10 15/16 in.; 375 x 278mm). 47 original watercolors (from 3 15/16 x 5 7/8 in.; 100 x 150mm, to 13 7/8 x 9 7/8 in.; 351 x 251mm) tipped-in, accompanying typescript captions tipped-in; occasional spotting infrequently affecting watercolors, one closed marginal tear. Quarter black morocco over green cloth covered boards, margins gilt-ruled, flat spine with gilt rules, textured endpapers; rebacked, rubbing to extremities, some dampstaining and soiling to covers. [With]: Loosely inserted 7 illustrated invitations from the Gilberts, one letter from the editor of 'The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News', dated 24 April 1892, 1 group military photograph (8 x 10 in.; 150 x 220mm) mounted on heavy decoratively embossed card, 1 pencil sketch by Gilbert of two comic situations, one watercolor of a mock-medieval jousting scene; some if the invitations with splits to folds, rubbing and worming to watercolor.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot provided by Sotheby's. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colours and shades which are different to the lot's actual colour and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation because Sotheby's is not a professional conservator or restorer but rather the condition report is a statement of opinion genuinely held by Sotheby's. For that reason, Sotheby's condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot.

A striking collection of original watercolors by a skilled artist, richly depicting sporting adventures through Kashmir and Burma, including stunning mountaineering scenesNearly all of the watercolors present in this album exhibit Gilbert's travels—occasionally with a comic touch—to include ibex and bear hunting, an elephant shoot, mountain climbing, and even a game of tug-of war in a Burmese or Kashmiri village. The accompanying typescript offers useful commentary, making the text and images together a rather expert and vivid account of Gilbert's travels, and of late nineteenth-travel and sporting.