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Macau

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Date

[February - March 1850]

Artist

Robert Elwes (1819-1878)

Collection

Private Collection

Description

"I left Hong Kong by steamer for Macao and Canton. Two small steamers, both named "Canton" ran up the river; and as one has two funnels, and the other four, they are distinguished as "Funnel" and "Pipes". The town seemed perfectly defunct, and possess hardly any trade, as only 2 vessels were in the harbour".
This is a page from a unique leather-bound volume of Robert Elwes’ travelogue 'A Sketcher's Tour Round the World', first published 1854, (see page 336 for corresponding passage).
The book contains the printed text of the manuscript but remarkably, the monochrome wash illustrations are hand painted by Elwes. The book bears a handwritten inscription ‘Mary F Elwes from her affect. husband Robert Elwes Jan 25 1878’, dated after Robert Elwes became ill at Congham, his Norfolk home. On 28th January 1878 , their youngest daughter Violet noted in her diary: “Papa much worse”. Less than three months later, Robert Elwes died on 17th April aged 58.

Image Licence

Image Credit

Courtesy of a private collector

Location

Macau

Country

Macau