A Fair Exchange
An early lithographic card by the elusive Bombay lithographer and publisher W. Cooper. Like some of this other cards, it seems to have originated in a photograph also published as a postcard by The Phototype Co.
1900-1909
Asking for Alms
The photographic original of one-half of the lithograph A Fair Exchange by W. Cooper.
Railway Porter
Like the backs of many Dhurandhar cards, this one bears the blind stamp and price ["A.H.W. Rs. 0-1-0," e.g. 1 anna] of A.H. Wheeler & Co., at 47 Hornby Road, the bookstall chain and contractor for advertising on Indian Railways.
A Mountain Cottage, Kashmir
This may be the very cottage where Bremner had an indelible experience. He writes in his autobiography “I never spent such a night. The melting snow was trickling on to the bed through apertures in the ceiling.
Canal Scene, Narsapur Taluq
An unusual embossed scene, likely in Andhra Pradesh, where the frame contrasts nicely with the blue canal. Produced by a missionary organization, probably to raise money or advertise their activities in India.
Confectioner's Stall - Jaipur
Some of the most interesting postcards are bazaar and storefront scenes, which can be staged or candid, but always seem to contain a wealth of information about life a century or more ago.
Palm Avenue, Botanical Gardens, Calcutta.
[Original caption] The Royal Botanical Gardens on the west bank of the river, were founded in 1780 on the suggestion of Colonel Kyd, and have been of more service to public and private gardens of the world than any other horticultural institute.
Greetings from Delhi
An early Greetings from Delhi postcard that seems to have been constructed from a number of other postcards given the way the titles appear on the images.
Shalimar Garden Lahore
The Shalimar Gardens in Lahore, about 18 km from the Indian border at Wagah, were constructed in the 1640s by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan. They were inspired by his father Emperor Jehanghir's Shalimar Gardens in Srinagar, Kashmir.
Delhi. Old Fort.
[Original caption] Old Fort. Between the Mosque and the Jumna river stands the Fort–the ancient stronghold and palace of the Mogul emperor. A towering wall of red sandstone encloses it, moated and battlemented. [end]
Better known today as the Purana
