- 196
China, Shanghai--Cammidge, Henry C.
Estimate
50,000 - 70,000 GBP
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Description
- A large 13-part panorama of Shanghai [c.1873], together with twenty five photographs taken in and around Shanghai and Soochow, [c.1863-1870]
- paper
13 albumen prints joined to form a panorama (the whole image: 210 x 3255mm.), laid on 11 thick card mounts (each 444 x 320mm.), joined with cloth, light scattered spotting to image and mounts, uniformly toned, some minor wear at folds; together with: 25 albumen prints (each approximately 210 x 255mm., or the reverse), individually mounted on card (average 219 x 430mm.), 23 captioned, numbered and signed ("H.C. Cammidge, Shanghai") in the negative, some fading, spotting and occasional surface wear to images; housed together in a contemporary dark blue morocco portfolio, upper cover titled in gilt 'Photograph Album', upper pastedown signed "R.S. Gundry" (see provenance), portfolio lacking ties, rubbed
An extremely rare and long 13-plate panorama of Shanghai Bund taken c.1873 and attributed to Cammidge, together with 25 photographic views of the region.
It is highly probable that this is the large panorama mentioned in the North China Herald and Supreme Court & Consular Gazette on 6th June 1874: 'We have seen an excellent photographic view of Shanghai taken by Mr H.C. Cammidge. It is taken in thirteen sections, which fit together and form a complete picture of the river front, from Dent's Godowns to the top of the junks' (quoted by Bennett, p.125).
This panorama can be dated quite accurately as it shows various buildings under construction, including the twin Fogg Buildings (plate 5) completed in 1873 (replacing their earlier building demolished in 1872), and the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank (plate 6) completed in 1875.
This sweeping panorama shows the whole of Shanghai Bund from the Chinese town in the distance in the first section to the Seaman's chapel near Pootung (Pudong) in the final part. Notable buildings include the French Consulate (plate 4), St Joseph's Church and the Shanghai Club (plate 5), the Kelly and Walsh building, the old Customs House, the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank under construction (plate 6), the Oriental Bank (plate 7), the Jardine Matheson building, Masonic Hall, British Consulate and bandstand (plate 8), the Garden Bridge over Soochow Creek and Astor House (pt.9), the American Consulate (plate 10), the American Church, Hongkew Creek, Dry Dock, Old Dock Foundry (plate11), and the Seaman's Chapel (plate13). The shipping in the image includes junks, sailing vessels, steam ships and paddle steamers including the Hang Chow, Fusi Yama, Fire Queen and Peking.
Cammidge was born in York in 1839. He is recorded in Shanghai in 1861 when he joined the Imperial Maritime Customs Service, where he worked until 1866. In 1867 he is recorded as a commercial photographer and by the 1870s was advertising photographs for sale, however he suffered from financial problems and endured various court cases, which may have led to his early death in 1874.
An extremely rare and long 13-plate panorama of Shanghai Bund taken c.1873 and attributed to Cammidge, together with 25 photographic views of the region.
It is highly probable that this is the large panorama mentioned in the North China Herald and Supreme Court & Consular Gazette on 6th June 1874: 'We have seen an excellent photographic view of Shanghai taken by Mr H.C. Cammidge. It is taken in thirteen sections, which fit together and form a complete picture of the river front, from Dent's Godowns to the top of the junks' (quoted by Bennett, p.125).
This panorama can be dated quite accurately as it shows various buildings under construction, including the twin Fogg Buildings (plate 5) completed in 1873 (replacing their earlier building demolished in 1872), and the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank (plate 6) completed in 1875.
This sweeping panorama shows the whole of Shanghai Bund from the Chinese town in the distance in the first section to the Seaman's chapel near Pootung (Pudong) in the final part. Notable buildings include the French Consulate (plate 4), St Joseph's Church and the Shanghai Club (plate 5), the Kelly and Walsh building, the old Customs House, the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank under construction (plate 6), the Oriental Bank (plate 7), the Jardine Matheson building, Masonic Hall, British Consulate and bandstand (plate 8), the Garden Bridge over Soochow Creek and Astor House (pt.9), the American Consulate (plate 10), the American Church, Hongkew Creek, Dry Dock, Old Dock Foundry (plate11), and the Seaman's Chapel (plate13). The shipping in the image includes junks, sailing vessels, steam ships and paddle steamers including the Hang Chow, Fusi Yama, Fire Queen and Peking.
Cammidge was born in York in 1839. He is recorded in Shanghai in 1861 when he joined the Imperial Maritime Customs Service, where he worked until 1866. In 1867 he is recorded as a commercial photographer and by the 1870s was advertising photographs for sale, however he suffered from financial problems and endured various court cases, which may have led to his early death in 1874.
Provenance
Richard Simpson Gundry C.B. (1838-1924). From 1865 to 1878 Gundry was The Times correspondent in China and editor of the North China Herald, in Shanghai. On his return to England he took a leading part with Sir Alfred Dent in founding the China Association, and was Honorary Secretary (1900-01) and President (1905-07). For some 25 years Gundry was chief leader-writer of the London and China Telegraph (later the China Express and Telegraph) and in 1904 was awarded the C.B. for services to Anglo-Chinese relations. His two most important books were China and Her Neighbours (1893) and China Present and Past (1895). Gundry's letters, journals and papers on China and the China Association are preserved in Cambridge University Library.
Literature
Bennett, T. History of Photography in China: Western Photographers 1861-1879 (Quaritch, 2010), pp.123-132
Condition
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."
"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."