GEORGE V. Handsome, scarce and well illustrated work on King George V & the Princes of India

Khosla, K. R. [compiler]: His Imperial Majesty King George V and the Princes of India and the Indian Empire (Historical-Biographical]. The Imperial Publishing Co. [Lahore]. 1937 1st edition, large 4to [13 x 10 ins]

Mounted monochrome portrait of the King & Queen, 8 mounted coloured portraits [rulers of Kutch, Bhavnagar, Jodhpur Junagadh, Udaipur, Sirmoor, Jath, Indore], 2 other coloured, unmounted [Sirguja, Rajpipla], numerous good monochrome illustrations from photographs, many portraits, some full plate, [iv], xv [index], 257pp [The King’s life], 257pp [The Princes of India, the Salute States], 493pp [The Indian Empire, Leading Officials and non officials, Ministers, Members of Legislatures, Zamindars and other Personages, by district], Original de-luxe binding of red cloth covered, bevelled boards with silver lettering and ornate design on the upper board fine bright condition with just one small tear to the cloth at the head of the spine, top edges gilt, tissue guards to the mounted plates. This lavish and profusely illustrated work was originally intended to be published for the King’s silver jubilee in 1935, hence the unusual choice for the sijver lettering, but the monumental task of compilarion and production caused delays. A scarce work which seldom appears: a copy was sold  at Christie’s in 2000 estimated at £800-£1,200. The illustrations provide a remarkable record of royal and notable figures in India towards the end of Empire.   sep10/1

 Provenance: This copy belonged to Sir Dhunjibhoy Bomanji and there is a small family gift inscription on a blank before the title page. Page 125 of the last section is devoted to the wealthy Parsee ship owner and philanrhropist, who lived at Poona and had a palatial residence in Windsor. He gave generously ro war efforts in 1914 – 18 and commisioned the great equestrian atatue of Earl Haig at Edinburgh Castle.