CHINA - STEREOVIEWS Collection of 19 early stereoviews of China by Pierre Joseph Rossier (13), Louis Legrand (3), Radiquet et fils (1), and others, albumen prints, all mounted on original cards (12 from the 'Views of China' series, all Canton, with printed details in English on verso; 2 with printed captions in French on verso), cards approximately 85 x 170mm., [c.1858-1862]; and 2 photographic cartes-de-visite ('Hong Kong. Chinesisches Madchen', 'Der Canton-Fluss. Canton River') by von Wilhelm Burger (21) Footnotes: Scarce collection of stereoview views and groups taken by two of the most important Western photographers working in China in the late 1850s. Terry Bennett notes that Rossier was the 'first professional photographer to conduct a photographic tour in the region with specific aim of bringing back to Europe commercial views of the people and places he had seen... [and deserves] a place in any list of true pioneers of photography', whilst Louis Legrand opened, in about 1859, one of the earliest photographic studios in Shanghai. The views of Canton [Guangzhou] taken by Pierre Joseph Rossier (1829-1886) in c.1858-1859, and issued as by Negretti & Zambra as 'Views of China' comprise: '6. Canton. The Landing Place, taken from the house of the commissariat'; '17. Canton. South-east Suburbs of the City of Canton'; '32... The Grounds of the Examination Hall'; '39. Canton. Portrait of Tseang-Keun, Tartar General in Chief of the Canton Army of Braves, Mandarin of the First Class'; 'Canton. Group of Mandarins in the Garden of Yamun'; '80... Visit of the Governor of Canton to Brigadier-General Crawford' [hand-tinted]; '83... Garden of How Qua'; '85... Pavilion of How Qua'; '93. Canton. South Street'; '96. Canton. Mandarins of the First Class, or Blue Button, Discussing'; '102. Canton. Chinese Ladies of Distinction with Slave Girls'; '104... Interior of a Chinese Drawing Room'; '108. Canton. Group of Chinese Ladies of Rank'. Another view of Canton, by Rossier, depicts the South Gate. Louis Legrand (c.1820-?) images comprise three views in Shanghai, two of which are illustrated in Terry Bennett, History of Photography in China 1852-1860, 2009. An image with the stamp of 'Radiguet & Fils' has a printed label 'No. 52. Kiosque dans les jardin d'une habitation privee, a Kin-Hoa, (interieur)'. Other images include a fine view of the Huqiu Tower (commonly known as the 'Leaning Tower') at Soo-chow (Suzhou), and 'Chine. Enfants sortant de l'Ecole (Vite au jeu!)'. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing