Chapman, James.

Estimate

4,000 - 5,000 GBP

bidding is closed

Description

Stereo photographs taken on the Zambezi expedition, 1861-1864. (Cape Town: by Joseph Kirkman, August 1865 on behalf of the photographer and/or William Moore, 1868)
paper

20 albumen print stereo views, mounted on card (83 x 174mm., including mounts), all but one with letterpress captions on the reverse, some light spotting, fading and dust-soiling, a couple of mounts with central creases along the mount

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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

Rare early stereoscopic photographs of Africa. Chapman's expedition was the first time that a stereoscopic camera was used to record its progress. The aim of Chapman, his brother Henry and the artist and traveller Thomas Baines was to explore the Zambezi from the Victoria Falls down to its delta, with a view to testing its navigability. However, these plans were bedevilled by sickness and misfortune. They did reach the Zambezi, but did not get to explore the mouth. In July 1862 they reached the Victoria Falls, but were prevented by sickness from completing the journey down the Zambezi to the coast and after eight months returned to Cape Town. Chapman's photographs, along with lantern slides of Baines's paintings were used for illustrated lectures on the expedition given by Baines in Cape Town. Photographs such as these of little known Africa were completely new and created a profound impression among Capetonians. Chapman's personal account of the expedition, Travels in the Interior of South Africa, was published in 1868, shortly before his death.