Beschreibung:

DescriptionProperty from the Japan Society Library, LondonFelice Beato (1832-1909)Album of photographs of Japan and three panoramas, 1863
comprising:
photograph album, 1863, oblong folio, signature of Beato in pencil on the first mount, 48 albumen prints, mounted on card, recto only, compromising a 6-plate panorama of the Foreign settlement of Yokohama from the Bluff (removed from the album and housed in a card tube), a 3-plate panorama of Yokohama from the Governor's house, a 2-plate panorama of the Temple Kamakura, a 2-plate panorama of the Tycoon's Palace (Yedo), and 35 individual prints, together with 2 mounted watercolours, pencil captions on the mounts, original sewn Japanese wrappers, housed in a modern folding black cloth boxCondition reportThe card mounts slightly toned and with some minor soiling, a few images taken out, the covers in poor condition.
All the books, journals and pamphlets have library stamps, some collection labels and library numbers stuck to the spines. 
Due to the nature of this lot, it is not possible for Sotheby’s to comprehensively document each plate or page comprised in the lot and the lot is therefore offered for sale “as is” in accordance with Sotheby’s Conditions of Business for Buyers applicable to the sale.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colors and shades which are different to the lot's actual color and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation. The condition report is a statement of opinion only. For that reason, the condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS ONLINE CONDITION REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE/BUSINESS APPLICABLE TO THE RESPECTIVE SALE.Catalogue noteA rare album of fine early photographs of Japan by Felice Beato (1832-1909), with views of Yokohama, the Tokaido, Hakoni, Yedo, Nagasaki, Kanagawa, and Mount Fuji, together with traditional subjects, manners and customs of Japanese life and culture including ladies at rest, at leisure and at their toilet, a street refreshment stall, a military officer, a barber, travelling dentist, playing Go, street musicians, sake sellers, sedan chair carriers etc.
Beato was a pioneer foreign photographer in Japan, who first settled in Yokohama, Japan's major treaty port. He offered his first photographic albums for sale in 1868, and this album was part of that enterprise. The printed text that accompanies the photographs was written for a Western audience and describes places to see, suggesting itineraries and tips to visitors, as well as providing extensive descriptions of famous monuments, landscapes, and towns of Japan. Beato's photographs of Japan rapidly became a commercial success and were imitated by his competitors and later photographers.