Malabar Hill, Bombay
While quite distinctive, keyhole views like this one were a brief fad that overtook early postcard publishing and soon disappeared.
While quite distinctive, keyhole views like this one were a brief fad that overtook early postcard publishing and soon disappeared.
Maybe it is the hookahs and Arab head dress of the main in the green robe smoking a cigarette, but this seems to be a scene in Bombay bazaar. The electrotype (imprint on the back) matches that of Clifton & Co.
Note how carefully this postcard has been hand-tinted, even the studio carpet adding a little depth.
A really well hand-tinted postcard, the boys foregrounded in unflinching skin tones while master is enveloped in white.
A studio portrait of a Parsi priest, holding an umbrella.
A most unusual postcard of a colonial family's two beloved creatures, carefully composed together in the studio, ready for the girl's family to send to relatives.
The entrance to Buddhist rock-cut caves built between the 2nd century BCE through 6th century in Karli, near Lonavla, between Mumbai and Pune in Maharashtra.
One of the most popular of early nautch postcards, made in many variations by Clifton & Co. As is so often the case, the musician lends colour and evokes the dance even if, in this case, they are probably standing very still in the studio.
Among the earliest postcards – and certainly early color postcards – of Ahmedabad is this view of Rani Rupamati's Mosque, built in the early 15th century and still standing.
Timber was mostly used as a building material and for making furniture. Power tools and machines are available to make life easier for carpenters today, but a century ago, specialized workmen plying their trade were a popular postcard theme.