Photographs--Watson, Major J.C., and others?

Oblong 4to (260 x 310mm.), PRESENTATION ALBUM, INSCRIBED BY THE PHOTOGRAPHER "To Mrs John Truelson, as a token of friendship", albumen print PORTRAIT OF WATSON in military uniform (135 x 107mm.), 100 albumen prints (average 195 x 230mm., or the reverse, a few smaller), some oval shaped or with rounded corners, mounted on card, recto and verso, slightly later pencil list of the photographs tipped-in, contemporary black roan, sides with blindstamped decoration, flat spine, gilt edges, occasional staining and light scattered spotting, some cockling to mounts, spine slightly worn with small loss, binding rubbed

Mrs John Truelson, Ningpo; acquired by Edward C.M. Bowra (1841-1874) of the Chinese Maritime Customs Service, Canton and Ningpo, or by his son 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.150-152; 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."

RARE PHOTOGRAPHS OF NINGPO (NINGBO) AND VICINITY, PRESENTED BY THE PHOTOGRAPHER MAJOR J.C. WATSON (c.1834-1908), an Australian officer in the Anglo-Chinese Artillery, and later superintendent of police at Ningpo (see Bennett).

The photographs, overall with good dark tones, include temples, canals, bridges, pagodas, Chinese junks, quarries, a pottery, the British consulate at Ningpo, the custom house station at Chinhai, Tien-dong (Tiantong) Temple, a panoramic view of Yu-Yan (Yuyao) showing Tongji bridge and the Yaojiang river, the temple of Confucius at Chinhai, Congma Qiao bridge at Chicheng, Buddhist monks, and Dents and Cerulti's Hong at Ningpo. The album also includes a portrait of a high ranking Chinese official, possibly Li Hongzhang (Li Hung-chang; 1823-1901), who played an important part in promoting the modernisation of China in the late nineteenth century.

John Truelson, the husband of the recipient of this album is recorded in directories of foreign residents in China between 1862 and c.1867 (but not 1872), as a merchant in Ningpo, working for Bohsted & Co. At some time, this album came into the Bowra family, perhaps as a gift to Edward Bowra (1841-1874), or more likely to his son C. Bowra (1869-1947), both of whom served with distinction in the Chinese Imperial Maritime Custom Service at Ningpo and Canton. Edward Bowra appears in several photographs including one with his wife Thirza (née Woodward) outside a house in Ningpo.