BENARES. A book of 18 real photographic views, circa 1890s

Fourteen 4¼ x 2¾ ins high quality real photographs of the ghats on the Ganges at the holy city of Benares [now Varanasi] mounted to one side only of a folding card mount, each surrounded by a red inked line. The photographs fold into a red straight grain morocco gilt binding 5½ x 4 ins, titled in gilt to the front board VIEWS OF BENARES FROM THE RIVER SIDE. There are no photographers’ or printers’ credits or details but the photographs are of very high quality. A high quality production in remarkably clean condition with just a little wear to the head and foot of the spine. Although we cannot date this exactly the inclusion of the Ganges Bridge, inaugurated in 1887, suggests a date around 1890.                          dec27/1  SOLD 27th October 2024

The titles, each on a separate printed label are: Fort Ramnagar; Assisangum Ghat; Butsraj Ghat;at; Shiwala Ghat; Kedar Ghat; Amit Rao Chutter Ghat; Kana Mahal Ghat; Munshi Ghat’ Dasaswamedh Ghat; Observatory of Manmundir; Lulta Ghat and Nepaulees Temple ; Burning Ghat; Munikarnika Ghat; Ghosla Ghat; Baji Rao Ghat; Minaret & Punch Ganga Ghat;,Ganges Bridge, Rajghat; Sumair Mandir, Ramnagar.