Calcutta
One of the earliest postcards of India, Calcutta, published by W. Rossler, a German or Austrian photographer in the city in 1897. Lithograph, Court sized, Printed in Austria. Undivided back.
before 1900
Katkari
Paul Gerhardt made a number of postcards of the people around the Ravi Varma press in Karli, outside Bombay, including the Katkari in Maharashtra.
Moet & Chandon Dry Imperial, 1898
A very early advertising postcard for a fine French champagne from a brand that persists today by a distributor with a monopoly in the Bombay Presidency. Moet & Chandon would ikely have offered these cards to its distributors.
Gruss aus Carl Hagenbeck's Indien 1898
An early Exposition postcard by a German exotic people's promoter and founder of the modern zoo. In this early postcard, the name of the printer is given towards the top left corner (Th. Wendisch, Berlin S.W.
Nizam von Hyderabad
Possibly the earliest postcard of a named Indian ruler, the Nizam of Hyderabad, Mahbood Ali Khan, Asif Jah VI, one of the world's richest men and ruler of Hyderabad state from 1869 until 1911.
Postmarked Deccan, unclear date, and Dautzer [Germany?],
Gruss aus Carl Hagenbeck's Indien 1898
An exceptional early lithographic card from the famous German exotic people's promoter and founder of Berlin's zoo. The title says it depicts an Indian coffee house.
Greetings From Calcutta
A very early postcard from one of Kolkata's largest retailers. Postmarked Dec. 2, 1898 and addressed to Master Geoffrey Corbett, Whiltey, Yorks., England: "To my godson & all his relations G.C. [sp?]."
A Fair Musician
Among the Paul Gerhardt postcards published by The Ravi Varma Press, this seems to be one of the rarer ones. Postally used in Glasgow, Scotland on Nov.
Europeans Travelling on the Palanquin
A very early postcard most likely drawn by lithographer Paul Gerhardt and printed at The Ravi Varma Press, although this is not certain and is based on its similarity to other signed Gerhardt postcards in its use of leaves and trees and background.
Dancing Girl
One of the earliest postcards of a "dancing girl" printed in India. Nach [or Nautch] women among the most popular subjects of early postcards of India.
