- 151
Staunton, Sir George
Estimate
2,000 - 3,000 GBP
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Description
- An Authentic Account of an Embassy from the King of Great Britain to the Emperor of China... taken chiefly from the papers of his Excellency the Earl of Macartney, Embassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Emperor of China. London: W. Bulmer and Co. for G. Nicol, 1798
- paper
Second edition, 3 volumes, comprising 2 volumes text, 4to (280 x 222mm.) and atlas, folio (554 x 410mm.), text with 2 engraved frontispieces, one plate and illustrations in text, advertisement leaf in volume 1, atlas with 44 engraved maps and plates (some folding or double-page), text in contemporary tree calf gilt by Carpenter & Co., speckled edges, atlas in modern mottled calf gilt, new endpapers, text volumes with browning, bindings rebacked retaining much of original spines, atlas with some dampstaining, a few plates trimmed
Provenance
Richard Oliver, bookplate
Literature
cf. Hill (2004) 1628; cf. Cordier, Sinica 2382-83 (both first edition)
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, 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."
Catalogue Note
Original and authentic account of an important embassy to China. Sir George Staunton (1737-1801) was a diplomat, physician and friend of Dr. Johnson and Edmund Burke. He travelled extensively, including to the West Indies, where he practised medicine. In 1792 the British government sent its first embassy to China, headed by Lord Macartney and Staunton was appointed secretary to the embassy. The voyage went via Brazil and there is an extensive description of Rio de Janeiro. The work also provides a fascinating insight into Chinese life at the end of the eighteenth century.