The Inland Steamer "Serang"
Bengal's rivers were traversed by boats and steamers, on which this man served a captain. The firm he worked for, "I.G.S.N." is likely emblazoned on his shirt.
Divided back
Downed English Fighter Plane
A British fighter plane, called "Rawalpindi" and named after the 29th Punjab regiment, brought down in apparently excellent condition by German forces during World War I.
Barian Bazaar (Summer)
A quintessential bazaar near an army base next to the hill station of Murree. From an albumen photograph as the inscribed title and photographer's name on the glass plate show.
The Waterfall, Chakrata
As the postcard business became increasingly competitive, especially after about 1905, printers and publishers went to great lengths with frames and colours to distinguish their products.
The Incomparable Mandalay
One can only applaud the sender of this postcard, the careful positioning of the stamp, the postmark which seems to be from 1923. The card was not addressed, so was either sent in an envelope or kept.
Mekrani Child
Born and Died May, 1900
A baby born with two heads and who likely would still have been a novelty and discussed some years later in Karachi, east of the Makran coast.
Two of A Kind in Kashmir
Much of the early postcard market was driven by collectors who exchanged cards with each other around the world, as this text on this card illustrates. Addressed to Frau Emma Valenti in Trieste, Austria:
"Madame,
Your cards to hand.
Shahjahan And His Queen
Mughal Emperors continued to live centuries after their death on postcards, most likely based on oval ivory portraits sold to tourists. The Queen here would have been Mumtaz Mahal, for whom Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal.
The Grand Hotel, Calcutta
Postmarked Calcutta January 18, 1918 and addressed to Mrs. Louise Fisher, 3820 Michigan Ave., Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A.: "1/18 We are leaving Calcutta today for Ceylon. Perhaps we shall hear from you there. We hope you are well and happy.
Royal Air Force (R.A.F.) Karachi Flyby
British Royal Air Force biplanes watched by spectators in Karachi. The R.A.F. frequently used aircraft like these in the northwest on the border with Afghanistan against tribal militias.
