Photographs--Watson, Major J.C., Dr John Dudgeon, John Thomson, (and others?)

Oblong 4to (244 x 293mm.), 99 albumen prints (34 full-page, average 185 x 235mm., or the reverse; and 65 half-page, average 140 x 175mm., or the reverse), mounted on card, recto and verso, nearly all neatly captioned in pencil on the mount, twentieth-century red half buckram, flat spine, morocco label, gilt edges, some fading and staining, and occasional light spotting

Edward C.M. Bowra (1841-1874) of the Chinese Maritime Customs Service, Canton and Ningpo; by descent to C.A.V. Bowra (1869-1947) of the Chinese Maritime Customs Service; thence by descent to Brigadier E.V. Bowra OBE

Bennett, T. History of Photography in China. Western Photographers 1861-1879, (London: Quaritch, 2010), pp.37-55 (Dudgeon), and pp.150-152 (Watson); H. van de Ven. Breaking with the Past. The Maritime Customs Service and the Global Origins of Modernity in China (New York, 2014), p.161 (note on the Bowra family). See also Bristol University's online Historical Photographs of China project.

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."

This album includes 33 photographs of Ningpo and vicinity attributed to Major J.C. Watson (c.1834-1908; see footnote to lot 256), 39 of Peking (Beijing) and vicinity attributed to Dr John Dudgeon (1837-1901; two images illustrated in Bennett, Fig.2.6 and Fig.2.10) and 8 of Tien-dong, 4 of Ning-Kiang-Chiao, 7 of Chapu (Zhapu), and one each of Poo-to (Pu-du), and Tientsin. The final image in the album showing a group of monks seated round a table playing a board game is attributed to John Thomson.

Dr John Dudgeon (1837-1901) was a "British missionary doctor and amateur photographer who lived in Peking (Beijing) from 1864 until his death. Dudgeon was friendly with Thomas Child and John Thomson, and published a photographic manual in Chinese, Tuoying qiguan in 1873." (Bennett)

One photograph titled "Picnic party Xmas Ningo" showing a group of people including Edward Bowra appears to be dated 1867.