Photograph albums of northern India : manuscript.

Format:

Book

Manuscript

Subjects (All):

Families.

Leisure.

Voyages and travels.

India--Description and travel.

India.

India--Photographs.

Genre:

photograph albums.

Photographs.

Manuscripts, English -- 20th century.

Penn Provenance:

Sold at Forum Auctions (London, England), Lot 20, 2024 October 10

Physical Description:

3 volumes (36, 36, 36 pages) : photographs ; 24 x 31 cm

Production:

India, circa 1942-1943, undated.

Biography/History:

This set of three photograph albums appear to have belonged to a European or British couple or family who traveled to the north of India during the early 1940s. The creator of the albums appears to be a couple; however, it is unclear if they were traveling with their own family or visiting family in India. Tourist spots were visited, at least in the areas of Srinagar; Jodphur, and Jaipur, in addition to others.

Summary:

These albums contain photographs of northern India during the 1940s. They appear to document a trip made by a European or British couple or family; but it is unclear if the creator was traveling with their own family or visiting family in India. Volume 1 consists of unlabeled photographic postcards, most of which appear to have been sold by Mahatta and Co., a studio in Kashmir. These images are largely landscapes and at least a few can be identified as Shalimar Bagh, a Mughal garden in Srinagar; the Thajiwas Glacier; and the Wayil Bridge, spanning the Sindh River in Ganderbal. One photograph of the Glacier has a caption on the back and indicates that there was a trek from Srinagar to Zoji La from October 8 to 15, 1942. There are a few portraits of Indian people on pages 23 and 24. The album is blank from page 25 onward. Volume 2 includes snapshots, possibly of the same trek from Srinagar to Zoji La. These black and white photographs are largely landscapes, but also include candid photographs, probably of the couple traveling the route; posing for photographs, fishing, picnicking, and camping. During the trek through snow, there is a team of horses and guides who appear to have accompanied the couple. By page 30, at least one additional couple and children are included at what may have been the end of the trek. The couple appears to be at a home with gardens. Volume 3 contains snapshots of Mehrangarh Fort, in Jodhpur, Rajasthan and at the Mandore Gardens, near Jodhpur. The only other definitively identified photographs are from the Jantar Mantar in Jaipur, a monument of 19 astronomical instruments, including the Samrat Yantra. There are other temples and historical sites. By page 29, the travelers appear to have joined a family and there are domestic scenes with a group of children and several photographs of the larger group at a beach. In several photographs the Swiss flag is flying. The three volumes appear to have been created at the same time. All are bound in thick brown paper covers tied with black string. On the front cover of each is a red sun. Photographs are mounted on black paper, either with photo corners or pasted down. There are few loose photographs, none of which have captions.

Cited as:

Photograph albums of Northern India (Ms. Coll. 1734). Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania.