Bhistee (Water Carrier)
One could argue that the bhistee was the most common male postcard type at the turn of the 20th century.
People
Troops of the British Empire - Hongkong Constabulary
Indian policemen and soldiers were an integral part of the British Empire's law and order apparatus in its Hong Kong colony. William Quin, after becoming Captain Superintendent in 1862, initiated direct recruitment from India.
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.
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.
Mahomedan Woman, Bangalore
A spectacularly well-tinted color postcard. Note how well the colors have been applied by hand via stencils to the carpet the woman is sitting on.
Marine Drive, Bombay
A nice view that guides the eye up the snaked drive.
This card was postmarked from Bombay on Dec. 11, 1953.
Chow Kidar (Night Watch)
[Verso, handwritten in ink] "Magway [sp?] Upper Burma, May 22/18
My dear Bunny
That little letter you penned hasnt come yet, but I am hoping it will reach me soon.
How do you like this hobby [postcard collecting presumably]?
Best love
Daddy x x
A Boothea Milkman
A studio portrait full of contradictions. The milkman from Darjeeling of Tibetan ancestry is shown with an English church in the deep background.
Gruss aus Carl Hagenbeck's Indien 1898
An early Exposition postcard by a German exotic people's promoter and founder of the modern zoo. In this early postcard, the name of the printer is given towards the top left corner (Th. Wendisch, Berlin S.W.
Nizam von Hyderabad
Possibly the earliest postcard of a named Indian ruler, the Nizam of Hyderabad, Mahbood Ali Khan, Asif Jah VI, one of the world's richest men and ruler of Hyderabad state from 1869 until 1911.
Postmarked Deccan, unclear date, and Dautzer [Germany?],
