Moore Market, Madras
A daub of red anchors the eye in this fine composition. Moore Market was opened in 1900, and destroyed by a mysterious fire in 1985, after which the land was repurposed for the Chennai Suburban Railway station.
Chennai
A Tamil Lady
A very early Higginbotham's postcard, with the back blind stamped "Post Card" instead of printed (or electrotyped). The image is also very small, not merely to leave room for writing but because that is where most of the expense was, in the ink and
Basket Bazaar, Madras
The basket bazaar of Madras was renowned for its beautiful wicker work and offered many kinds of basket weavers a platform to show their craft and sell a wide variety of goods.
A Toddy Drawer, Madras
A popular figure specific to early South Indian postcards is the toddy drawer. Palm wine was made from sap collected from trees in little pouches.
For Freedom's Sake Interned June 16, 1917
The early 20th-century Home Rule League demanded self-government for the whole of India from British rule and was particularly active between 1916-18. Many Indian leaders supported this movement including the famous nationalist, Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
Master's Whisky
These kinds of offensive postcards seem to have been part of series by both Higginbotham's and their main competitor in South India, Spencer & Co.
When Master is at Office
Part of an offensive series by both Higginbotham's showing domestic staff in various acts of revolt, dereliction or other transgressions that would have made colonists laugh and feel slightly uncomfortable.
Master's Tooth-Brush
Part of an offensive series by both Higginbotham's showing domestic staff in various acts of revolt, dereliction or other transgressions that would have made colonists laugh and feel slightly uncomfortable.
Curious Craft. Catamaran, Madras
Catamarans are one of the first types of boats and the earliest users of catamarans were apparently fishermen living on the southern coast of Tamil Nadu; the word itself is of Tamil origin.
Madras Seven Pagodas
While we now believe that the temples date to the Pallava King Narasimharavan around 630 CE, much about their origins remains obscure. This is an embossed postcard, with the relief lines meant to simulate an old oil painting.
[Original caption] Seven
