The River Cooum, Madras
A view of the shortest river (76 miles) to empty into the Bay of Bengal, and a long-critical artery for Chennai, at a time when it was much less polluted than today.
1900-1909
Saringee [Sarangi] or Violin
![Saringee [Sarangi] or Violin](https://www.paperjewels.org/sites/default/files/styles/square_thumbnail/public/slides/sarangi-violin_0.jpg?itok=nDGP2b6u "Saringee [Sarangi] or Violin")
From a beautiful series of artist postcards that may recall elements of "Company Painting" in their direct representations of human form on simply (albeit coloured) backgrounds.
Bombay. Rampart Row.
[Original caption] Rampart Row, Bombay (City). Bombay is a city of contrasts. Very different is the quiet grandeur of Rampart Row, with its massive buildings and open spaces, to the rush and turmoil of the industrial centre of the great city.
The Saman Burj Delhi
[Original caption] The Saman Burj or Princess Boudoir in Delhi is richly inlaid with mosaic work. Delhi. [end]
The exquisite hand-tinting of this postcard is worthy of the original design.
Jeypore. Johari Bazaar.
[Original caption] Johari bazaar. The Johari bazaar is one of the most important thoroughfares in Jeypore, and a great market for all sorts of merchandise.
Royal Palace, Bangalore.
One of the more priceless messages on vintage postcards: "I do not want to exchange any more post cards with you. F. Terry."
Postmarked Kolkata 1907 and sent to Miss Florence Irwin, 256 Gottingen Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Metai Wallah Confectioner
[Original caption] Metai wallah or Sweetmeat Seller. Sweetmeats of all kinds are largely eaten by the natives of India.
The Gorgeous East A Royal Elephant
From one of the first Tuck's India postcard series, this image depicts Lord Curzon and his wife Mary on an elephant at the 1903 Delhi Durbar.
Pan & Aerated Water Shop, Calcutta
A postcard that reflects how easily Kolkata mixed past and present at the turn of the century. Paan is an ancient cornucopia of spices and nuts wrapped in a betel leaf. Next to it are cooling soda bottles.
Coolie Women
A rather unusual portrait of "coolie" women. While popular postcard subjects, often shown with their baskets, this studio portrait features one woman with her back to the viewer, and another looking straight into her (invisible) eyes.
