NON-EXPORTABLE
A MAGNIFICENT PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD OF THE 1903 DURBAR TO COMMEMORATE THE CORONATION OF EDWARD VII
TITLE: The Coronation Durbar, Delhi, 1903. Of His Majesty King Edward VII
YEAR: 1903
BINDING: Original red morocco lettered in gilt on upper cover "Coronation Durbar, Delhi 1903 of his Majesty King Edward VII. Viceroy Baron Curzon of Kedleston, P.C.G.M.S.I, G.M.I.E with border blocked in gilt. The book comes preserved in original silk-lined wooden box covered in linen hand-painted with elaborate design of flowers, upper cover with central cartouche.
NO.OF PAGES: 132 platinum prints, several panoramic each with letterpress title leaf printed in purple within decorative gilt border
SIZE OF THE BOOK:
Height: 47 cm
Width: 34.5 cm
Depth: 8 cm
SIZE OF THE BOX:
Height: 51.5 cm
Width: 43 cm
Depth: 13.5 cm
BOURNE & SHEPHERD, Photographers. The Coronation Durbar. Delhi 1903. The album comes with 133 gelatin silver prints byBourne & Shepherd, mounted on 101 leaves of thick green paper (recto only), title and text printed in purple on special paper within a decorative gold printed border, publisher's red morocco gilt (gilt stamped by Eyre & Spottiswoode inside upper cover), covers with wide decorative border enclosing title "Coronation Durbar, Delhi, 1903. of His Majesty King Edward VII. Viceroy Baron Curzon of Kedleston, P.C., G.M.S.I, G.M.I.E." above the Order of the Star of India badge and crown in gilt on uppercover, preserved in original silk-lined wooden box covered in linen hand-painted with elaborate design of flowers, upper cover with central cartouche, Calcutta, Simla, Bombay and London, Printed by Eyre & Spottiswoode, for Bourne & Shepherd, [1903]..br.
A magnificent record of Lord Curzon's Durbar to commemorate the accession of Edward VII, a spectacular event which lasted thirteen days "marked by displays of unexampled magnitude... [eclipsing] the splendors of the vanished Empire of theMoghuls" (introduction), culminating in a procession of the retinues of the Native Chiefs.
Bourne & Shepherd were the official photographers to the Durbar, and the album includes numerous portraits of Indian princely rulers (the Nizam of Hyderabad, the Maharajas of Baroda, Mysore and Kashmir, and those of the Shan, and Southern Baluchistan); Lord and Lady Curzon on the State elephant "Lutchman Pershad"; many views of the State entry into Delhi; panoramas of the Durbar Amphitheater (whichcould hold 12,000 spectators), and the processions including those of elephants, camels and troops.
"Bourne & Shepherd established in 1863, was the oldest photographic studio still in operation till 2016, and one of the oldest established photographic businesses in the world. At its peak it was the most successful commercial firm in 19th-and early 20th-century India, with agencies all over India, and outlets in London and Paris, and also ran a mail order service.
Though some sources consider its inception to be 1862, when noted British photographers, Charles Shepherd established a photographic studio, with Arthur Robertson, called 'Shepherd & Robertson' in Agra, which later moved to Shimla and eventually became the part of 'Howard, Bourne & Shepherd', set up by Samuel Bourne, Charles Shepherd, along with William Howard, first established in Shimla around 1863, and later in Kolkata in 1867, where it was still operational till June 17, 2016, at Esplanade Row, in Esplanade,Kolkata (Calcutta) under the same name. Today some of their earlier work is preserved at Cambridge University Library, the National Portrait Gallery, London, the National Geographic Society's Image Collection and the Smithsonian Institution" (Wikipedia).
Overall a beautiful album with historically significant images.
This lot will be sold in "as is" condition.
There may be some minor tears/creases scratches, or holes commensurate with age that may not be visible in the images.
The books on sale in this auction are rare, out-of-print and otherwise collectible, dating from the 19th century on wards. The technology and material for printing and binding books has evolved over the last few centuries. From being the exclusive preserve of Clergy and Kings to an item of everyday application, the availability and use of books has also evolved over time. Books age over time and deterioration in a book's condition depends on many factors, including the original materials used and conditions of usage over time. Books will often show signs of foxing, fading, shelf-ware or dust jacket damage through usage. Prolonged storage may also cause wormhole damage or water stains.
The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email. Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Storyltd shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.