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'Views of Peking, Tientsin and Neighbourhood', circa 1870s

Concertina album containing fifty albumen prints, each approx. 4 x 6½ in. or the reverse, mounted one-per-page, each with printed paper title label, occasional pencil inscriptions in a later hand on mounts, inside front cover inscribed From library of Sir Robert Hart and collection of Sir Robert Hart in pencil, titled in gilt on leather panel, original cloth, 7½ x 10½ in.
Provenance
Originally in the collection of Sir Robert Hart, an Irishman who was appointed by the Chinese Imperial Court in 1861 to the post of Inspector General of the Maritime Customs in Shanghai where he served until 1906. He established the Imperial Chinese postal service in 1878 and was awarded mandarin of the 2nd rank, the highest position for a foreigner in China. Sir Robert Hart remained in China until 1908 and died in England in 1911.

Lot Essay

Including several rare views of the Summer Palace, Beggars' Temple, Peking; a view of the Imperial tomb; two images at a camel camp, a view of Taku forts; the British and the French Legations in Peking; views of the Imperial city including one image showing damages to the exterior wall and the temple in which Sir Harry Parkes was imprisoned.

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