Lot 11
11 •JOHN THOMSON (1837-1921) A spectacular album with 67 photographs credited to the pioneering photographer, including more than 30 depicting China, as well as images from Singapore and Borneo. The album features approximately 34 rich views made in China, including Thomson's iconic imagery of Hong Kong's harbor (with numerous views of the Praya) and streets (including his interior Shop of Wah Loong and Cumwo), at least two from Canton (including family groupings outside their dwellings), as well as unidentified temples, rural scenery, and architectural studies, each with Thomson's characteristic sensitivity and sophisticated eye. Also with more than 30 photographs of South Asia, including credited imagery made in Singapore and Borneo, and possibly India. Albumen prints, the images measuring 9¼x11 inches (23.5x28 cm.), and smaller, and the reverse, mounted recto/verso, eight with Thomson's credit in the negative and each with one or two numeric notations, in pencil, on the mounts. Thick folio, lacking the covers, but with the original endpapers; all edges gilt; enclosed in a custom navy blue clamshell box with a leather label. Circa 1862-72
[40,000/60,000]
Acquired from Bradford Galleries, Sheffield, Mass.; to a Private Collector, in 1999, who was a photojournalist during his years in medical school.
