2 At First Sight
The second card in Dhurandhar's Coquettish Maid Servant Series. [Next]
M.V. Dhurandhar
Artist-signed postcards by M.V. Dhurandhar (1867-1944), one of the premiere painters and illustrators around the turn of the century. Dhurandhar became the first Indian head of the J.J. School of Arts and where he was employed throughout his career. Most of these color postcards are from 1903-1904, were halftones and printed in Germany by an unknown publisher. Other cards from later in the decade and thereafter were published by Lakshmi Art Printing Press, and others often for advertising purposes by a variety of publishers in India and as far as Zanzibar.
3. How Sweet you are!
The third card in Dhurandhar's series about a new pretty maid who comes into a middle-class household. Note the chapati flour handprints on the husband's back. [Next]
4. Hush! My Wife! My wife!
The fourth card in Dhurandhar's series about a new pretty maid who comes into a middle-class household. [Next]
5. Wife enraged
The fifth card in Dhurandhar's series about a new pretty maid who comes into a middle-class household. [Next]
Loading a Bombay Cart
Initialed "MD" in the right corner, Dhurandhar deftly captures early Bombay life. The labourer on the cart nearly falls backwards as he pulls the box up. A pretty tree separates the bullocks from the cart.
Railway Porter
Like the backs of many Dhurandhar cards, this one bears the blind stamp and price ["A.H.W. Rs. 0-1-0," e.g. 1 anna] of A.H. Wheeler & Co., at 47 Hornby Road, the bookstall chain and contractor for advertising on Indian Railways.
The Governor's Bodyguard
Formed in 1865, the Governor's Bodyguard was a colorful, often-illustrated cavalry in their red and white uniforms and mustachioed Rajput horsemen.
Punkha Boy
A key figure in the Raj was the punkha boy or man, who pulled the string that moved a fan in a bar or in the sleeping quarters to keep their employers cool.
Parsee Priest
From Dhurandhar's earliest postcard series featuring the people of Bombay. Once again, a gesture defines character, with the white space next to the priest space for the sender to write a message.
Native Soldier
Another striking portrait by the great Indian artist M.V. Dhurandhar (1867-1944). This one was sent in 1905 by an Indian postcard collector, probably in Bombay, who pursued his hobby in a way that gives insight into early collector's fine tastes:
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