UPHAM, Edward (1776-1834)

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£ 4 410
Auction dateClassic
13.07.2023 10:00UTC +01:00
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CHRISTIE'S
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United Kingdom, London
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ID 993053
Lot 139 | UPHAM, Edward (1776-1834)
UPHAM, Edward (1776-1834)

The History and Doctrine of Buddhism, popularly illustrated. London: R. Ackermann, 1829.

First edition. ‘The original pictorial representations, drawn from Johnston’s collection of Buddhist drawings, are what make this volume particularly valuable’ (Bobins). The illustrations depict friezes that slowly unroll some Eastern tale, pictures of gods and devils, signs of the zodiac, etc. This is one of Ackermann’s last publications which ‘appears to be Ackermann’s first venture in coloured lithography in book form. The hand-colouring is careful and elaborate’ (Martin Hardie, quoted in Abbey). ‘Upham was a retired bookseller and mayor of Exeter in Britain who devoted his later life to Orientalist works. This work, despite its more general title, is in fact an account of Buddhism — whose "manuscripts and drawings" it is said to be chiefly derived ... They depict jataka stories, or the lives of the Buddha, other deities such as Pattini, signs of the zodiac and devils. Alexander Johnston (d. 1849) had gathered his collection while based in Ceylon from 1799 to 1819 where, having originally been appointed Advocate General, he had risen to the position of Chief Justice and been instrumental in developing this island’s colonial administration’ (Bobins). Abbey, Travel 413; Bobins, V, 1656.



Folio (388 x 270mm). 41 lithographic plates finely coloured by a contemporary hand and 2 plain lithographic plates, list of plates (preliminaries becoming loose, some minor ink stains and spotting). Original purple moiré cloth-backed boards, flat spine, printed paper label, uncut (spine slightly worn and sunned, binding slightly scuffed and rubbed, corners bumped).





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