Journal of a Voyage, in 1811 and 1812, to Madras and China; returning by the Cape of Good Hope and St. Helena; in the H.C.S. The Hope, Capt. James Pendergrass - Signed and Inscribed -
James Wathen
1814 - Printed for J. Nichols, London - First Edition
With unique provenance, possibly the author’s own copy, with his name to the title page dated August, 21st, 1814, and later inscribed by Wathen to a Mr. Lane Esq. (initials too floral for us to decipher) of ‘Alfred Place, with his kind regards & best wishes from the Author. Hereford, June 21st, 1825’.
First edition of Wathen’s sumptuously illustrated and entertainingly written work, containing 24 hand-coloured aquatint plates by Clark from drawings by Wathen, consisting of seven views of India, six of Malaysia and Indonesia, nine of China and two of St. Helena.
James Wathen (1751-1828) was a glover by profession and upon retiring he travelled throughout Great Britain and Ireland, sketching, becoming a frequent contributor to publications such as Gentleman’s Magazine (where he was known as Jemmy Sketch). ‘In 1811, being prevented by the war from travelling in Europe, he accompanied Captain James Prendergast in his ship the Hope on a voyage to India and China, in which he visited Madras, Penang, Canton, Macao, the Cape of Good Hope, and St. Helena.’ Publishing his journals, illustrated with his drawings in 1814. ‘His narrative is lively, and his account of eastern life is minute and interesting’. (Dictionary of National Biography). Provenance: As described above, and most likely Sir Owen St Clair O'Malley KCMG (1887-1974), a British diplomat, with his small label stating that in 1946 ‘this book, having been damaged in transit, was repaired in Lisbon by my direction’. O'Malley was Minister to Hungary between 1939 and 1941. He was British ambassador to the Polish government in exile in London during World War II. From July 1945 until May 1947, he was Ambassador to Portugal where the repairs were undertaken.
The journal:- Sea Voyage Gravesend to Madras (1-24); India (25-125); Malaysia (126-164); China(165-230); Sea Voyage to London (231-241).
References: Abbey Travel 517. Cordier, Bibliotheca Sinica 2107. Mendelssohn II, 591. Löwendahl, China Illustrata Nova, Supplement 1697.
Quarto (binding size 27.5x22.5cm), pp. [2] xx 246.
Plates (collated 2/2025):
1. New Custom House, from the Hope in Madras Roads.
2. Fort St. George, with part of the Black Town and Madras Roads.
3. Great Pagoda at Congeveram.
4. First View from the Great Pagoda, near Conjeveram.
5. Second View looking North from the Pagoda, near Conjeveram.
6. Fort and Scenery near Chingleput, from the Mount Road.
7. Bramin's Tomb, near the Road to Pondicherry.
8. George Town, near Pulo Penang.
9. Dr. Mackinnon's Residence, near the Bermah Village.
10. View looking over George Town, to the Queeda Coast.
11. Mr. Amee's House and Mill at Pulo Penang.
12. Mallacca, wirh the Hope at Anchor in the Roads.
13. Ancient Gateway, leading to the Water, at Malacca.
14. Franciscan Monastery at Macoa.
15. Church of St. Lazarus near Macoa.
16. Comoen's Cave, at Macoa.
17. Macoa with the Church of St. Antonio from Camoen's Garden.
18. Anson's Bay from within the Bocca Tigris.
19. View looking up the Tigris, to the Second Bar Pagoda.
20. China Street, with part of the European Factories, Canton.
21. Banquetting Room at a Mandarin's House near Canton.
22. View of the Bocca Tigris from under the Second Bar Pagoda.
23. Colonel Doveton's House, near Sandy Ridge, St. Helena.
24. James Town, St. Helena, looking to Ladder Hill Barracks. Bound in half tan morocco over marbled boards, spine ruled in blind and gilt with brown morocco label lettered in gilt. Condition: Very good, the usual foxing and offsetting from plates for which this title is prone, some wear to spine and corners of binding. Ref: 112046 Price: HK$ 30,000
First edition of Wathen’s sumptuously illustrated and entertainingly written work, containing 24 hand-coloured aquatint plates by Clark from drawings by Wathen, consisting of seven views of India, six of Malaysia and Indonesia, nine of China and two of St. Helena.
James Wathen (1751-1828) was a glover by profession and upon retiring he travelled throughout Great Britain and Ireland, sketching, becoming a frequent contributor to publications such as Gentleman’s Magazine (where he was known as Jemmy Sketch). ‘In 1811, being prevented by the war from travelling in Europe, he accompanied Captain James Prendergast in his ship the Hope on a voyage to India and China, in which he visited Madras, Penang, Canton, Macao, the Cape of Good Hope, and St. Helena.’ Publishing his journals, illustrated with his drawings in 1814. ‘His narrative is lively, and his account of eastern life is minute and interesting’. (Dictionary of National Biography). Provenance: As described above, and most likely Sir Owen St Clair O'Malley KCMG (1887-1974), a British diplomat, with his small label stating that in 1946 ‘this book, having been damaged in transit, was repaired in Lisbon by my direction’. O'Malley was Minister to Hungary between 1939 and 1941. He was British ambassador to the Polish government in exile in London during World War II. From July 1945 until May 1947, he was Ambassador to Portugal where the repairs were undertaken.
The journal:- Sea Voyage Gravesend to Madras (1-24); India (25-125); Malaysia (126-164); China(165-230); Sea Voyage to London (231-241).
References: Abbey Travel 517. Cordier, Bibliotheca Sinica 2107. Mendelssohn II, 591. Löwendahl, China Illustrata Nova, Supplement 1697.
Quarto (binding size 27.5x22.5cm), pp. [2] xx 246.
Plates (collated 2/2025):
1. New Custom House, from the Hope in Madras Roads.
2. Fort St. George, with part of the Black Town and Madras Roads.
3. Great Pagoda at Congeveram.
4. First View from the Great Pagoda, near Conjeveram.
5. Second View looking North from the Pagoda, near Conjeveram.
6. Fort and Scenery near Chingleput, from the Mount Road.
7. Bramin's Tomb, near the Road to Pondicherry.
8. George Town, near Pulo Penang.
9. Dr. Mackinnon's Residence, near the Bermah Village.
10. View looking over George Town, to the Queeda Coast.
11. Mr. Amee's House and Mill at Pulo Penang.
12. Mallacca, wirh the Hope at Anchor in the Roads.
13. Ancient Gateway, leading to the Water, at Malacca.
14. Franciscan Monastery at Macoa.
15. Church of St. Lazarus near Macoa.
16. Comoen's Cave, at Macoa.
17. Macoa with the Church of St. Antonio from Camoen's Garden.
18. Anson's Bay from within the Bocca Tigris.
19. View looking up the Tigris, to the Second Bar Pagoda.
20. China Street, with part of the European Factories, Canton.
21. Banquetting Room at a Mandarin's House near Canton.
22. View of the Bocca Tigris from under the Second Bar Pagoda.
23. Colonel Doveton's House, near Sandy Ridge, St. Helena.
24. James Town, St. Helena, looking to Ladder Hill Barracks. Bound in half tan morocco over marbled boards, spine ruled in blind and gilt with brown morocco label lettered in gilt. Condition: Very good, the usual foxing and offsetting from plates for which this title is prone, some wear to spine and corners of binding. Ref: 112046 Price: HK$ 30,000