Harbour Ships and Carriages at Apollo Bunder or Wellington Pier, Bombay

Circa 1880s

Albumen print mounted on card

7.5 x 9.25 in   |  19 x 23.5 cm

Mumbai's Wellington Pier was then called Apollo Bunder. This photo is prior to the construction of The Gateway of India. Apollo Bunder served only as a hub for the arrival and departure of people and cargo. Docras (bags) of cotton made up the majority of the traffic. The backdrop features a collection of boats and ships, varying in size and style, docked along the Bombay harbour. These ships could range from merchant vessels to passenger liners, highlighting the city's role as a crucial trading port during the time. In the foreground, a bustling promenade can be observed, flanked by a row of horse-drawn carriages, gharries or Victoria horse carriages, indicating the presence of transportation services for the passengers disembarking from the ships. Pedestrians in colonial attire can be seen walking along the promenade, along with traders and locals going about their daily routines.

The harbour, with its hundreds of wooden ships and thousands of native crafts floating before them, provided a pleasantly lively scene to the walkers gathered by the waterfront, breathing in the then-fresher sea wind.

This work will be shipped mounted

NON-EXPORTABLE

This lot will be shipped in "as is" condition. For further details, please refer to the images of individual lots as reference for the condition of each book.