Holwell Monument, Calcutta
[Original caption] Holwell Monument.
1900-1909
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.
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 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.
Victoria Terminus Station, Bombay
[Original caption] Victoria Terminus Station, Bombay. Bombay is by far the most European in appearance of all the cities of India. Extensive lines of tramways pass through the broad streets that are continually lined with splendid buildings.
Nahapiet & Co's. Jute Factory Post Golah, Dacca
A very rare postcard, both because it is from East Bengal now Bangladesh and because it is a very early real photo postcard, a type that did not come into prominence until the next decade.
The Taj Mahal, Agra
One version of this card, addressed to Miss J. Flint, 124 Belmont Road, Ansfield, Liverpool, has this written on the front: "I wonder whether they will build anything like this over us when we are gone. W.J.O."
The Marble Rocks, Jubbulpure
A gorge in the Narmada River with about 8 miles of soft marble rock that remains a delight for tourists.
