1859 Curry & Rice On Forty Plates Or The Ingredients of Social Life at 'Our Station' in India

Description

Colour Plates, Early Edition, Illustrated, Publishers' Original Binding

An undated work, dated using the Oxford University and National Library of Scotland entries on copac. In a well-preserved condition, with the plates remaining relatively bright. Illustrated, with forty plates drawn by the author, George Francklin Atkinson. Collated, complete. Adhered to the work, at the gutter of the poem following the dedication is a photograph of a young Indian lady in traditional dance costume, wearing ghungroos and a large jewellery headpiece. The photograph is undated. Loosely inserted is a photograph of a large house in the countryside, this photo is undated also. Each satirical illustration has two pages of accompanying text. The text and photographs depict life at a British colonial station in Bengal. Emphasis is drawn on British officials and residents of a high social status such as the magistrate, colonel and doctor. There is a plate that regards 'our German missionary'. He also focuses on racing, pig-sticking and tiger shooting. Atkinson was Captain in the Bengal Engineers and he drew on his own experiences for this work. He previously wrote a work titled 'The Indian Mutiny' which was published in 1857-8. To the preface Atkinson notes that this work is 'drawn to exhibit the customs of society on the Bengal side' of India 'as it was necessary throughout to adhere to some one character of people among whom the English were located.' He addresses his humour in the work and says 'my object was not to illustrate perfection but to afford amusement'.