TIBET - REPATRIATION OF CHINESE TROOPS WILLOUGHBY (LIEUT. COLONEL MICHAEL EDWARD) Report on the Work of the Mission Engaged on the Repatriation of the Chinese Garrison of Lhasa which Surrendered to the Tibetans in August 1912, FIRST EDITION, [ONE OF 80 COPIES], COPY BELONGING TO THE AUTHOR OF THE APPENDIX, titled on upper cover, 24 photographic plates on 11 sheets, one folding lithographed map, bound in the front is a typed letter signed by W. St. C. Muscroft from the Army Headquarters at Simla (dated 28 Feb. 1913) to W.H. Hodges sending this report, publisher's blue-green printed wrappers, spine split with some loss, folio (335 x 215mm.), Simla, Government Central Branch Press, 1912 [but early 1913], together with: [PHOTOGRAPHS] A group of 23 original gelatin silver print photographs taken during the repatriation of the Chinese troops from Lhasa to Sikkim, a few captioned on the verso, one with ink arrow identifying Hodges on images 90 x 150mm., 1912; and 3 further images, 2 of Changu Lake [now Tsomogo Lake], and one of Hodges with fellow officers AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED from W.H. Hodges ('Walter') to his wife, whilst helping for the transport of the Chinese through Sikkim, mentioning his camps at Rhenock and Pakyong, meetings with Capt. Willoughby, that 'word came that 84 sick & wounded Chinese would arrive at Guatong on the 22nd instant, and Col. W. despatched a special messenger with the telegram to me...', sending telegram updates to Sir Charles Bell at Gangtok, but also asking for more marmalade, wondering what Mrs. Bell thought of it, and that 'Captain Willoughby thought the marmalade excellent...', 16 pages, in ink, 8vo, 19 January 1913, and a manuscript list by Hodges dentifying the subjects (group) Footnotes: RARE REPORT, AND GROUP OF ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPHS, RELATING TO THE SURRENDER OF CHINESE TROOPS IN TIBET (1912), WITH FINE PROVENANCE. Following the Xinhai Revolution against Imperial rule in China in 1911, the position of the Chinese troops controlling Tibet became untenable, and both the British (guided by Sir Charles Bell as the resident British Political Officer for Bhutan, Sikkim and Tibet) and the Dalai Lama saw an opportunity to take control of the region. The Chinese troops surrendered through the Nepalese representative in Lhasa, and it was decided that to avoid any possible flare up of hostilities they should be repatriated across the Tibet-Sikkim border, then onwards home via India. This was overseen by Lieut. Colonel Willoughby, with practical support on the ground (accommodation, transport, supplies, medical arrangements, etc.) for the first stage of the mission provided by the Hodges and the political agency at Sikkim. The Dalai Lama was free to re-enter Lhasa in early 1913. The rare group of original photographs (which differ from those reproduced in Willoughby's Report) include a number of the Chinese troops assembled for departure (one captioned by Hodges as 'Chinese Officers haranguing his men drawn up in a square') and during the march from Lhasa to Gangtok. Provenance: Walter H. Hodges (1868-1938), with his pencil inscription on upper cover, and a presentation letter (enclosing the report) sent to Hodges from Army Headquarters in Simla [Shimla]; Hodges acted as assistant to the Political Officer at Sikkim from 1890 to 1917, firstly under John Claude White, and then Sir Charles Bell; by family descent to the vendor. Hodges contributed 'Appendix V.' (pp.45-47) in the Report, concerning his organisation of transport 'in Sikkim for the Chinese troops from Tibet returning to China via India' at the request of Sir Charles Bell. Hodges is also seen, alongside Willoughby and others, in the image of 'Officers of the Chinese Troops Repatriation Mission at Gnatong' used a plate 4 in the report. Another photo of the officers is included amongst the original photographs. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: • • Zero rated for VAT, no VAT will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing