oblong folio (285 x 380mm), 11 larger photographs and approximately 490 smaller photographs, mounted on album leaves recto and verso, various processes, mostly silver gelatin prints, some albumen, contemporary manuscript ink captions throughout (one album leaf detached and frayed, some fading and dust-stains), contemporary black half roan, moiré cloth boards (binding rather rubbed, lacking backstrip)

This important historical photograph album appears to have been compiled by a British officer serving on HMS Alacrity in the China Squadron during the time of the Boxer Rebellion (1900-1901). The 11 larger photographs include a view of Shanghai, and a group photograph taken in Nankin in 1900 recording an important meeting in Nankin between the British and Chinese, showing Admiral of the Fleet Sir Edward Seymour and senior Chinese officials in Nankin, the officers and officials identified in a contemporary hand as the Viceroy of Nankin, Liu Kunyi (‘Liu Kun Yi’, 1830-1902; although other contemporary sources name the person in this photograph as Li Hongzhang), Taotai of Nankin, Consul General Warren (Shanghai), Flag Captain Jellicoe of HMS Centurion, and others.

The album contains both personal and professional photographs and shows Shanghai, Ningpo, Hankow, ‘Lu Hung Chang and family’, Prince and Princess Henry of Prussia at Kiaochow (Kiautschou), Hong Kong, Canton, the Forbidden City in Beijing (including a photograph of soldiers on parade following the death of Queen Victoria, and another parade in honour of the German Emperor’s birthday); views of the Summer Palace; views in Japan, and about 30 photographs of Korean people and views in Seoul including the palace wall, street scenes, the British Legation, and portraits of the Emperor of Korea and his brother.