![SOLTYKOFF [SOLTYKOV], Prince Alexis Dmitievich (1806-1859). Indian Scenes and Characters: sketched from life. Edited by Edward E. Eastwick. London: Smith, Elder & Co.; Bombay: Smith & Taylor, 1859.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2014/CKS/2014_CKS_01568_0061_001(soltykoff_soltykov_prince_alexis_dmitievich_indian_scenes_and_characte110623).jpg?w=1)
![SOLTYKOFF [SOLTYKOV], Prince Alexis Dmitievich (1806-1859). Indian Scenes and Characters: sketched from life. Edited by Edward E. Eastwick. London: Smith, Elder & Co.; Bombay: Smith & Taylor, 1859.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2014/CKS/2014_CKS_01568_0061_000(soltykoff_soltykov_prince_alexis_dmitievich_indian_scenes_and_characte094350).jpg?w=1)
Details
SOLTYKOFF [SOLTYKOV], Prince Alexis Dmitievich (1806-1859). Indian Scenes and Characters: sketched from life. Edited by Edward E. Eastwick. London: Smith, Elder & Co.; Bombay: Smith & Taylor, 1859.
2° (627 x 441mm). Additional lithographic title printed in gold and black with tinted vignette finished in colour by hand by J. Trayer after Soltykoff dated 1858, letterpress title dated 1859, letterpress text, and 15 hand-coloured tinted lithographic plates heightened with gum arabic, title and plates each marked proof. (Long but clean closed tear across plate 10, 'The Palace at Jaypore’, one text leaf with closed short marginal tear, a few spots, minor marginal soiling, text leaves lightly and evenly browned.) Original red half-morocco and blue cloth, title stamped in gilt on front cover (rubbed, a little soiled, spine lightly worn). Provenance: 'To Mrs Wiseman, this memento of a departed friend. London 11 April 1859' (inscription on endpaper).
EXCESSIVELY RARE: PROBABLY ONE OF VERY FEW COPIES IN PROOF STATE. One of the greatest of all Indian plate-books, comprising a fine collection of views, scenes and portraits with letterpress commentaries and a dedication to Lord Stanley (later 15th Earl of Derby and the Secretary of State for India), all edited by the well-known orientalist and diplomat, Edward Backhouse Eastwick (1814-1883). Soltykoff's wealth allowed him the luxury of lavish publication standards and afforded him the liberty to write as he found. The text of this work is both informative and perceptive and characteristically full of colourful detail. This state not in Abbey, Brunet or De Silva.
2° (627 x 441mm). Additional lithographic title printed in gold and black with tinted vignette finished in colour by hand by J. Trayer after Soltykoff dated 1858, letterpress title dated 1859, letterpress text, and 15 hand-coloured tinted lithographic plates heightened with gum arabic, title and plates each marked proof. (Long but clean closed tear across plate 10, 'The Palace at Jaypore’, one text leaf with closed short marginal tear, a few spots, minor marginal soiling, text leaves lightly and evenly browned.) Original red half-morocco and blue cloth, title stamped in gilt on front cover (rubbed, a little soiled, spine lightly worn). Provenance: 'To Mrs Wiseman, this memento of a departed friend. London 11 April 1859' (inscription on endpaper).
EXCESSIVELY RARE: PROBABLY ONE OF VERY FEW COPIES IN PROOF STATE. One of the greatest of all Indian plate-books, comprising a fine collection of views, scenes and portraits with letterpress commentaries and a dedication to Lord Stanley (later 15th Earl of Derby and the Secretary of State for India), all edited by the well-known orientalist and diplomat, Edward Backhouse Eastwick (1814-1883). Soltykoff's wealth allowed him the luxury of lavish publication standards and afforded him the liberty to write as he found. The text of this work is both informative and perceptive and characteristically full of colourful detail. This state not in Abbey, Brunet or De Silva.
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