Untitled [Set of 2 books by Cecil Beaton]
a) Cecil Beaton, An Indian Album, London: B T Batsford Ltd., 1945-46, first edition
[xii] + 78 pages illustrated throughout in black and white photos; bound in orange cloth-covered boards with blue titling on the front board and spine
b) Cecil Beaton, India, Bombay: Thacker & Co. Ltd., 1945
100 full-page photos. Black and white photographic illustrations; publisher's pastel green cloth with gilt title within debossed panel to front board.
11 x 9.5 in (28 x 24 cm)
Stunning collection of black and white photographs of India taken by Cecil Beaton throughout 1944.
Sir Cecil Walter Hardy Beaton CBE (1904-1980) was an English fashion, portrait, and war photographer; diarist; painter; interior designer; and Academy Award-winning stage and costume designer for films and the theater.
India, is a compelling photographic chronicle of India during World War II. Beaton's journey to India in 1944 was part of a broader assignment to document the Far East during the war. Commissioned by the British Ministry of Information, Beaton's work aimed to document the nation's landscapes, architecture, and diverse populace amidst the wartime milieu.
The book features approximately 100 black-and-white photographs, capturing a wide array of subjects, from bustling urban centers and serene rural landscapes to intimate portraits of India's inhabitants. Beaton's lens offers a nuanced perspective on the country's cultural and social tapestry during a pivotal historical period. Through his distinctive style, Beaton provides readers with an evocative visual narrative that reflects both the grandeur and the quotidian aspects of Indian life in the 1940s.
He published a narrative of his journey in Far East (1945), however, only a few of the vast number of pictures taken could be used to illustrate it. Hence, it was decided to issue two supplementary volumes, each reproducing about 100 photographs, under the titles of An Indian Album and Chinese Album.
The images captured during this period were subsequently compiled into several publications, including India and An Indian Album. While India was published in Bombay, An Indian Album was released in London by B T Batsford Ltd. in 1945, each offering unique selections of Beaton's photographs from his travels.
India stands as a significant historical document, providing contemporary audiences with a visual exploration of India's rich heritage and the complexities of its society during the mid-20th century.
(Set of two)
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.