JUNIOR. WOOD, WILLIAM
A SERIES OF TWENTY-EIGHT PANORAMIC VIEWS OF CALCUTTA
EXTENTING FROM CHANDPALL GHAUT TO THE END OF CHOWRINGHEE ROAD TOGETHER WITH THE HOSPITAL, THE TWO BRIDGES, AND THE FORT.Signed book by Lord Dalhousie (Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856)
The title page bears the signature "J. Ramsay / from the Earl of Dalhousie", identifying the recipient as James Andrew Broun-Ramsay, later 1st Marquess and 10th Earl of Dalhousie. A prominent figure in British imperial administration, he served as Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856.
First Edition
Year: 1883
Size: 54.7 x 38 cm (21.5 x 15 inches)
Published by William Wood, London., Large Folio, Title Page, Engraved.
No. of Illustrations: 28 Hand-Colored Lithographed Plates.
A printed bookplate (ex-libris) pasted inside the front cover of a book, shows a coat of arms inscribed "Richardson of Pitfour, Bart." indicating ownership by a member of the Richardson family, Baronets of Pitfour.
Extremely Rare: Only Eighty-three sets were subscribed to in India, and thirty-eight in England so one can imagine the rarity of the album.
The 28 Plates are: 1. Chandpaul Ghaut / 2. Esplanade Row, with Town Hall / 3. Esplanade Row, with Treasury and Government House / 4. Esplanade Row, with the entrances to Government House etc / 5. Esplanade Row, with the Club House / 6. Esplanade Row and Chowringhee Road, showing the Cossitollah & Durrumtollah Roads and the Oil Bazaar / 7. Chowringhee Road / 8. Chowringhee Road, with the Juan Bazaar St. / 9. Chowringhee Road / 10. Chowringhee Road, with the Monohur Doss's Tank / 11. Chowringhee Road showing the G.P.O., Lindsay St and Monohur Doss's Tank / 12. Chowringhee Road, showing Speke Street / 13. Chowringhee Road with the entrance to the Sudderdewany Adalut, Native Court of Justice / 14. Chowringhee Road, showing Kyd Street / 15. Chowringhee Road, with Park Steet and the Asiatic Society's House / 16. Chowringhee Road with General's Tank / 17-18. Chowringhee Road (different views) / 19. Chowringhee Road showing the Bishop's Palace / 20. Chowringhee Road. Middleton Street [MISSING] / 21. Chowringhee Road with Elliott's Tank and Harrington Street [MISSING] / 22. Chowringhee Road with Theatre Road and the Theatre [MISSING] / 23. Chowringhee Road with Ballard's Buildings [MISSING] / 24. Chowringhee Road / 25. The New General Hospital, taken in 1829 / 26. Kyderpoor Bridge / 27. The Fort / 28. Allipore Bridge.
Binding: Green half leather over brown paper board cover, with leather spine and corners. The upper board is printed with book details, simple and utilitarian binding.
William Wood arrived in Calcutta in 1828 to assist his brother, George, who was the superintendent of the Asiatic Lithographic Press, established at Park Street in the 1820's. His series of prints in this book presents an almost continuous panorama of buildings as viewed from the Maidan. Starting with Chandpal Ghat, they extend along Esplanade Row and then turn into Chowringhee. Several mansions appear still under construction using bamboo scaffolding; in the foreground, people tend their animals, wash their clothes or themselves in the public tanks and relax in groups, smoking their hookahs.
“The elegant forms of the buildings of European Calcutta heralded an important stage in the history of architecture of the subcontinent: the evolution of Western styles into forms which would become commonplace in the Indian context. This building depicted shows what became the conventional pattern, a two or three storeyed block, well-proportioned and set in a garden, and with columned verandahs protecting its rooms from the heat”.
Provenance : Collection of a Gentleman
About Artist
William Wood ( - )
William Wood arrived in Calcutta in 1828 to assist his brother, George, who was the superintendent of the Asiatic Lithographic Press, established at Park Street in the 1820’s. His series of prints presents an almost continuous panorama of buildings…...Read More
This is an auction of pre-owned and old items. Many items are of an age or nature which precludes their being in perfect condition and you should expect general wear and tear commensurate with age and use.
We strongly advise you to examine items before you bid.
Good Condition
This is an auction of pre-owned and old items. Many items are of an age or nature which precludes their being in perfect condition and you should expect general wear and tear commensurate with age and use.
We strongly advise you to examine items before you bid.
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