D'Oyly, Charles, Sir

4to (10 3/8 x 11 3/4 in.; 263 x 299 mm). Mounted lithographed title and 12 mounted handcolored lithographed plates after D'Oyly by the Behar Lithographic Press, all on india paper mounted to album leaves; some marginal foxing largely confined to the mounts apart from the title lithograph. Early green boards, front cover with mounted lithographed label; label foxed and chipped, boards stained and chipped with loss, stained.

Bloomsbury, 20 July 2006, lot 226

Not in Abbey, Colas, or Lipperheide 

4to (10 3/8 x 11 3/4 in.; 263 x 299 mm). Mounted lithographed title and 12 mounted handcolored lithographed plates after D'Oyly by the Behar Lithographic Press, all on india paper mounted to album leaves; some marginal foxing largely confined to the mounts apart from the title lithograph. Early green boards, front cover with mounted lithographed label; label foxed and chipped, boards stained and chipped with loss, stained.
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.

PROBABLY THE RAREST OF ANY OF D'OYLY'S PUBLICATIONS. This is one of just two copies of Costumes of India recorded in the Anglo-American auction records, and only three others can be traced in institutional collections: Yale University, the University of Melbourne (incomplete), and the British Library. 

These studies of Indian costume and occupation are quite unlike anything else in D'Oyly's oeuvre. The imprints of two of the plates indicate that they were drawn by D'Oyly after sketches by George Chinnery.