Illustrations of China and its People, London, 1873-1874, first edition, 4 volumes, folio - photo 1
Illustrations of China and its People, London, 1873-1874, first edition, 4 volumes, folio - photo 2
Illustrations of China and its People, London, 1873-1874, first edition, 4 volumes, folio - photo 3
Illustrations of China and its People, London, 1873-1874, first edition, 4 volumes, folio - photo 4
Illustrations of China and its People, London, 1873-1874, first edition, 4 volumes, folio - photo 5
Illustrations of China and its People, London, 1873-1874, first edition, 4 volumes, folio - photo 6

Illustrations of China and its People, London, 1873-1874, first edition, 4 volumes, folio

Lot 222
21.09.2023 10:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
£ 22 860
AuctioneerSotheby´s
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 1028531
Lot 222 | Illustrations of China and its People, London, 1873-1874, first edition, 4 volumes, folio
Estimate value
£ 20 000 – 30 000
Illustrations of China and its People. A series of two hundred photographs, with letterpress descriptions of the places and people represented. London: Sampson Low, Marston Low, and Searle, 1873-1874

FIRST EDITION, 4 volumes, folio (475 x 348mm.), 96 plates of photographic illustrations, interleaved with text and guards (some captioned), publisher’s maroon morocco-grain cloth, covers with large pictorial designs and lettered in gilt, bevelled edges, edge gilt, bindings refurbished

One of the most extensive photobooks of China in the nineteenth century. Many of the key Treaty Ports, towns and cities are illustrated, including Hong Kong, Hainan, Macao, Taiwan, Swatow, Amoy, Foochow, Ninpo, Shanghai, Nanking, Kiu-kiang, Hanchow, Chefu and Peking, as well as dignitaries and ordinary people.

"John Thomson (1837-1921) was the first known photographer to document the people and landscape of China for publication and dissemination to the Western world. Between 1868 and 1872 he travelled over 6,500 kilometres with his cumbersome camera and equipment, darkroom and chemicals capturing all aspects of Chinese life. The photographs in these four volumes show the many sides of China: sweeping landscapes, royalty and ruling classes, merchants and economic activity, everyday life, and the faces of men, women and children. In a time when knowledge was derived from observation and classification it should not seem odd that Thomson desired a recognition not from the quality of his photographs, but from his contributions to general knowledge" (Western Travellers in China, 91).

"My design in the accompanying work is to present a series of pictures of China and its people, such as shall convey an accurate impression of the country I traversed as well as the arts, usages, and manners which prevail in different provinces of the Empire. With this intention I made the camera the constant companion of my wanderings, and to it I am indebted for the faithful representation of the scenes I visited and the types of races I came into contact" (Introduction).
Address of auction Sotheby´s
34-35 New Bond Street
W1A 2AA London
United Kingdom
Preview
15.09.2023 09:00 – 16:30
16.09.2023 12:00 – 17:00
17.09.2023 12:00 – 17:00
18.09.2023 09:00 – 16:30
19.09.2023 09:00 – 16:30
20.09.2023 09:00 – 16:30
Phone +44 (0) 20 7293 5000
Phone +1 212 606 7000
Email
4FQ.AE2YUKFA@AYGLGHC3Y@
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase

Related terms

Frequently asked questions

First of all, you should register to be able to purchase at auction. After confirming your email address, enter your personal information in your user profile, such as your first name, last name, and mail address. Choose a lot from the upcoming auction and the maximum amount you want to place on it. After confirmation of your choice, we will send your application by e-mail to the appropriate auction house. If the auction house accepts a request, it will participate in the auction. You can view the current status of a bid at any time in your personal account in the "Bids" section.
Auctions are performed by auction houses and each of the auction houses describes their terms of auction. You can see the texts in the section "Auction information".
The results of the auction are published within a few days after the end of the auction. In the top menu of the site, find the tab "Auctions". Click on it and you will be on the auction catalog page, where you can easily find the category "Results". After opening it, select the desired auction from the list, enter and view the current status of the interested lot.
The information about the auction winners is confidential. The auction winner will receive a direct notification from the auction house responsible with instructions for further action: an invoice for payment and the manner in which the goods will be received.
Each of the auction houses has its own payment policy for the won lots. All auction houses accept bank transfers, most of them accept credit card payments. In the near future you will find detailed information for each case in the section "Auction information" on the page of the auction catalog and the lot.
Shipment of the won lot depends on its size. Small items can be delivered by post. Larger lots are sent by courier. Employees of the auction houses will offer you a wide range to choose from.
No. The archive serves as a reference for the study of auction prices, photographs and descriptions of works of art.
?>