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Lt. Col. William Godfrey Rayson Masters (British, 19th century) An album of sixty-five works on paper documenting Masters' 1857-1861 expedition from England to Southeast Asia with the Royal Marines, on board HMS Chesapeake album size 33.5 x 52 x 5cm (13 3/16 x 20 1/2 x 2in). image 1
Lt. Col. William Godfrey Rayson Masters (British, 19th century) An album of sixty-five works on paper documenting Masters' 1857-1861 expedition from England to Southeast Asia with the Royal Marines, on board HMS Chesapeake album size 33.5 x 52 x 5cm (13 3/16 x 20 1/2 x 2in). image 2
Lt. Col. William Godfrey Rayson Masters (British, 19th century) An album of sixty-five works on paper documenting Masters' 1857-1861 expedition from England to Southeast Asia with the Royal Marines, on board HMS Chesapeake album size 33.5 x 52 x 5cm (13 3/16 x 20 1/2 x 2in). image 3
Lt. Col. William Godfrey Rayson Masters (British, 19th century) An album of sixty-five works on paper documenting Masters' 1857-1861 expedition from England to Southeast Asia with the Royal Marines, on board HMS Chesapeake album size 33.5 x 52 x 5cm (13 3/16 x 20 1/2 x 2in). image 4
Lt. Col. William Godfrey Rayson Masters (British, 19th century) An album of sixty-five works on paper documenting Masters' 1857-1861 expedition from England to Southeast Asia with the Royal Marines, on board HMS Chesapeake album size 33.5 x 52 x 5cm (13 3/16 x 20 1/2 x 2in). image 5
Lt. Col. William Godfrey Rayson Masters (British, 19th century) An album of sixty-five works on paper documenting Masters' 1857-1861 expedition from England to Southeast Asia with the Royal Marines, on board HMS Chesapeake album size 33.5 x 52 x 5cm (13 3/16 x 20 1/2 x 2in). image 6
Lt. Col. William Godfrey Rayson Masters (British, 19th century) An album of sixty-five works on paper documenting Masters' 1857-1861 expedition from England to Southeast Asia with the Royal Marines, on board HMS Chesapeake album size 33.5 x 52 x 5cm (13 3/16 x 20 1/2 x 2in). image 7
Lt. Col. William Godfrey Rayson Masters (British, 19th century) An album of sixty-five works on paper documenting Masters' 1857-1861 expedition from England to Southeast Asia with the Royal Marines, on board HMS Chesapeake album size 33.5 x 52 x 5cm (13 3/16 x 20 1/2 x 2in). image 8
Lt. Col. William Godfrey Rayson Masters (British, 19th century) An album of sixty-five works on paper documenting Masters' 1857-1861 expedition from England to Southeast Asia with the Royal Marines, on board HMS Chesapeake album size 33.5 x 52 x 5cm (13 3/16 x 20 1/2 x 2in). image 9
Lt. Col. William Godfrey Rayson Masters (British, 19th century) An album of sixty-five works on paper documenting Masters' 1857-1861 expedition from England to Southeast Asia with the Royal Marines, on board HMS Chesapeake album size 33.5 x 52 x 5cm (13 3/16 x 20 1/2 x 2in). image 10
Lt. Col. William Godfrey Rayson Masters (British, 19th century) An album of sixty-five works on paper documenting Masters' 1857-1861 expedition from England to Southeast Asia with the Royal Marines, on board HMS Chesapeake album size 33.5 x 52 x 5cm (13 3/16 x 20 1/2 x 2in). image 11
Lt. Col. William Godfrey Rayson Masters (British, 19th century) An album of sixty-five works on paper documenting Masters' 1857-1861 expedition from England to Southeast Asia with the Royal Marines, on board HMS Chesapeake album size 33.5 x 52 x 5cm (13 3/16 x 20 1/2 x 2in). image 12
Lt. Col. William Godfrey Rayson Masters (British, 19th century) An album of sixty-five works on paper documenting Masters' 1857-1861 expedition from England to Southeast Asia with the Royal Marines, on board HMS Chesapeake album size 33.5 x 52 x 5cm (13 3/16 x 20 1/2 x 2in). image 13
Lt. Col. William Godfrey Rayson Masters (British, 19th century) An album of sixty-five works on paper documenting Masters' 1857-1861 expedition from England to Southeast Asia with the Royal Marines, on board HMS Chesapeake album size 33.5 x 52 x 5cm (13 3/16 x 20 1/2 x 2in). image 14
Lt. Col. William Godfrey Rayson Masters (British, 19th century) An album of sixty-five works on paper documenting Masters' 1857-1861 expedition from England to Southeast Asia with the Royal Marines, on board HMS Chesapeake album size 33.5 x 52 x 5cm (13 3/16 x 20 1/2 x 2in). image 15
Lt. Col. William Godfrey Rayson Masters (British, 19th century) An album of sixty-five works on paper documenting Masters' 1857-1861 expedition from England to Southeast Asia with the Royal Marines, on board HMS Chesapeake album size 33.5 x 52 x 5cm (13 3/16 x 20 1/2 x 2in). image 16
Lt. Col. William Godfrey Rayson Masters (British, 19th century) An album of sixty-five works on paper documenting Masters' 1857-1861 expedition from England to Southeast Asia with the Royal Marines, on board HMS Chesapeake album size 33.5 x 52 x 5cm (13 3/16 x 20 1/2 x 2in). image 17
Lt. Col. William Godfrey Rayson Masters (British, 19th century) An album of sixty-five works on paper documenting Masters' 1857-1861 expedition from England to Southeast Asia with the Royal Marines, on board HMS Chesapeake album size 33.5 x 52 x 5cm (13 3/16 x 20 1/2 x 2in). image 18
Lt. Col. William Godfrey Rayson Masters (British, 19th century) An album of sixty-five works on paper documenting Masters' 1857-1861 expedition from England to Southeast Asia with the Royal Marines, on board HMS Chesapeake album size 33.5 x 52 x 5cm (13 3/16 x 20 1/2 x 2in). image 19
Lt. Col. William Godfrey Rayson Masters (British, 19th century) An album of sixty-five works on paper documenting Masters' 1857-1861 expedition from England to Southeast Asia with the Royal Marines, on board HMS Chesapeake album size 33.5 x 52 x 5cm (13 3/16 x 20 1/2 x 2in). image 20
Lt. Col. William Godfrey Rayson Masters (British, 19th century) An album of sixty-five works on paper documenting Masters' 1857-1861 expedition from England to Southeast Asia with the Royal Marines, on board HMS Chesapeake album size 33.5 x 52 x 5cm (13 3/16 x 20 1/2 x 2in). image 21
Lot 5

Lt. Col. William Godfrey Rayson Masters
(British, 19th century)
An album of sixty-five works on paper documenting Masters' 1857-1861 expedition from England to Southeast Asia with the Royal Marines, on board HMS Chesapeake album size 33.5 x 52 x 5cm (13 3/16 x 20 1/2 x 2in).

Amended
Travel & Exploration
14 September 2021, 13:00 BST
London, Knightsbridge

Sold for £52,750 inc. premium

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Lt. Col. William Godfrey Rayson Masters (British, 19th century)

An album of sixty-five works on paper documenting Masters' 1857-1861 expedition from England to Southeast Asia with the Royal Marines, on board HMS Chesapeake
This album comprises both topographical views and scenes of human interest, to include:
England (4)
South Africa (2)
India (3) and Sri Lanka (6)
North East Africa and the Red Sea (5)
Malaysia (2), Hong Kong (6), China (26) and Japan (5)
Mauritius (3)
works are variously signed and most are inscribed on the mount with their location and date
watercolour
album size 33.5 x 52 x 5cm (13 3/16 x 20 1/2 x 2in).

Footnotes

Lt Col William Godfrey Rayson Masters joined the Royal Marines as a Second Lieutenant in 1842. This album documents Masters' service on board HMS Chesapeake from 1857-1861 and provides a detailed account of the topography and people encountered during these years.

Most extensively covered in this album are his time served in India, being present at the Indian Mutiny (1857-1858), and in China (1859-1861). However, there are also watercolours showing that the Chesapeake travelled from England to South Africa, up the Gulf of Aden into the Red Sea, around Sri Lanka, and on to Malaysia, China and Japan, finishing in Mauritius.

During the Second Opium War (1856-1860), Masters commanded the Second Battalion Royal Marines Light Infantry (RMLI) at the attack on the Peiho Forts, 25 June 1859. This album includes a watercolour of these very same forts on the date of the failed attack. He was severely wounded in this engagement and received a mention in despatches.

Masters returned to England after this expedition and for many years served as the Barrackmaster at the Chatham Division, RMLI. Here he continued to sketch and draw day-to-day life in the military. A large collection of his work is now held in the National Museum of the Royal Navy.

Not only is this album the most significant collection of works by Masters to come to auction, it is also offers a rare insight into a period a great historical importance.

Saleroom notices

Please note that the watercolour depicting an execution at Jeddah is not included in the album but is set within a card mount on its own. Its dimensions are 32 x 51.5cm.

Additional information