Hindu Religious Beggar
A striking studio portrait in which the viewer's eyes are drawn by to subject's wide-open gaze. Was he asked not to blink? Or did the photographer amend the negative?
Kolkata
Great Eastern Hotel, Calcutta
Around the time this postcard was published, H. St.J. B. Philby, the father of the famous British spy Kim Philby (born in Ambala in 1912) and then serving in India, wrote in his memoir Arabian Days (Robert Hale, 1948):
"The Great Eastern Hotel of
Holwell Monument, Calcutta
[Original caption] Holwell Monument.
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.
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.
View of River Hooghly Showing the High Court, Calcutta
A very uncommon and early view of the High Court, constructed in 1872, for the oldest High Court in British India.
We Often Go Rattling Along In These Rickety "Rickshaws"
Part of a series of calendar and regular postcards by the Kolkata artist Merton Lacey made for US troops in the city supporting the Allied front against Japan and supporting China during World War II.
View of the Zoological Gardens, Calcutta
Founded in 1875, now known as the Zoological Garden in Alipore, this is the oldest zoo in India and an early pioneer among world zoos in captive breeding.
Rabindranath Tagore
A curiously hand-tinted sepia real photo postcard of the great Bengali writer and multi-faceted artist (1861-1941), with pink expertly applied on the inside garment peeking out from below.
The Guardians of The Gate
Part of an eight card set depicting the same roles but different types who fill them in India and Britain, durwan being defined as "a live-in doorkeeper, especially in an apartment building."
