Mumbai, 10 August 2016: Between 1812 and 1816, a lavish six-part compendium with breathtaking illustrations of Mughal and Dravidian monuments, cityscapes and sublime views of mountains and waterfalls—the most extensive work of its kind, held its readers in awe. The aquatint illustrations were so accurately and skilfully made, that they put to shame all those who had previously attempted similar illustrations. Touted as “the finest illustrated work ever published on India” (Tooley), Oriental Scenery was a landmark compendium of illustrations by Thomas and William Daniell, two of the most celebrated landscape artists of their time. The work is now in StoryLTD’s upcoming Antiquarian Books auction on 16 - 17 August. Lot 39 in the auction catalogue, it is estimated at INR 10 - 15 lakhs (USD 15,155 - 22,730) as one of the star lots of the sale.

Fascinating sketches of fish, reptiles, local plants, landscapes, the customs and attire of various communities, portraits of rajas, and accounts of wars are but few of the themes covered by travellers to the Indian sub-continent, and form a large part of the auction catalogue. Highlights include other important books from the mid-19th century:

  1. Lot 9: Portraits of the Princes and People of Eden, published in 1844, was one of English poet and novelist Emily Eden’s important works. She documented the lives of Indian rulers and their families when she accompanied her brother, Lord Auckland, to India when he was Governor General from 1835 - 1842. The book is bound in an original contemporary half Moroccan and cloth cover, and features a rich gilt lettering on the cover and spine. It is estimated between INR 9.5 - 10 lakhs (USD 14,395 - 15,155).
  2. Lot 21: Recollections of India, 1847, features lithographic plates of the landscapes of British India, with a focus on Kashmir and Punjab. Included are portraits of some of the rulers of Kashmir. The book is estimated between INR 8 - 8.5 lakhs (USD 12,125 - 12,880).
  3. Lot 29: Des Prinzen Waldemar Von Preussen Nach Indien: 2 Volumes, 1853, includes illustrations of the landscapes and peoples of India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Egypt, as well as portraits of kings and accounts of local wars. It is estimated at INR 9 - 10 lakhs (USD 13,640 - 15,155).
  4. Lot 30: Views of Calcutta, 1848, includes stunning lithographs of the topography of Calcutta in the 1830s, and is estimated between INR 9 - 10 lakhs (USD 13,640 - 15,155).
  5. Lot 41: Architecture of Ahmedabad, 1866, is an early and rare photographically-illustrated record of the art and architecture of western India, estimated at INR 2.5 - 3 lakhs (USD 3,790 - 4,550).
  6. Lot 43: Scenery, Costumes, and Architecture, Chiefly on the Westernside of India, 1826 - 1830, is a three-volume set with rich colour illustrations, estimated at INR 6 - 8 lakhs (USD 9,095 - 12,125).

...