NON-EXPORTABLE
TITLE: Scenery, Inhabitants, and Costumes, of Afghaunistan
SUBTITLE: The costumes of the various tribes, portraits of ladies of rank, celebrated princes and chiefs, views of the principal fortresses and cities, and interior of the cities and temples of Afghaunistaun. From original drawings by James Rattray
AUTHOR: James Rattray
PUBLISHER: Hering & Remington
PLACE: London
YEAR: 1848
BINDING: Contemporary dark green half morocco, red morocco title label toupper cover with gilt to boards and spine with modern endpapers
NO. OF PAGES: Large folio, coloured lithographed title page, together with 29 finely coloured plates on 25 leaves, each with descriptive letterpress
SIZE: 62 x 46 x 3 cm
LIST OF PLATES:
1. Dourraunnee Chieftans in Full Armour (Lithographed title)
2. Dost Mahommed King of Caubul and his Youngest Son
3. Interior of the Palace of Shauh Shujah ool Moolk, late King of Cabul
4. Hawkers of Ko-i-Staun. With Valley of Caubul and Mountains of Hindoocoosh
5. Encampment of the Kandahar Army under General Nott, outside the Walls of Caubul, on the Evacuation of Afghaunistaun by the British
6. Ghiljie Women, of the Lower Orders
7. Khoja Padshaun, a Ko - I- Staun Chief, with his Armed Retainers
8. Kelaut -i-Ghiljie
9. 'Atmaran' Hindoo of Peshawar
10. Mosque and Tomb of the Emperor Sooltaun Mahmood, of Ghuznee
11. Afghaun Foot Soldiers in their Winter Dress. With entrance to the Valley ofUrgundeh
12. Ko -i-Staun Foot Soldiery in Summer Costume, actively employed among the Rocks
13. Fortress of Alimusjid, and the Khyber Pass
14. Chief Executioner and Assistant, of His Majesty the late Shah
15. Mahomed Naib Shurreef, a celebrated Kuzzilbach Chief of Caubul, and his Peshkhidmut, or Head Attendant
16. Bala Hissar and City of Kabul, with the British Cantonments from the 'Ba Maroo' Hill - Hostilities Commencing
17. Jaunbauz, or Afghaun Cavalry, with Horse bearing Implements for Smoking & C
18. Town and Citadel of Ghuznee
19. Hyder Khan, the Governor of Ghuznee
20. Oosbegs of Mooraud Bey
21. Jugdellu, The Last Stand made by General Elphinstone's Army in the calamitous Retreat
22. Meerz Fyze, an Oosbeg Elchee, or Ambassador
23. Interior of the City of Kandahar, from the House of the Sidar 'Meer dil Khaun', Brother of the King of Caubul
24. Ladies of Caubul in their in and out-of- door Costume
25. Gool Mohammed Khaun King of the Ghilgyes
26. The 'Bullock Hump' and Military Cantonments, Kandahar
27. Temple of 'Ahmed Shaun', King of Afghaunistaun, Kandahar, looked upon as so sacred an edifice, that the vilest criminal seeking protection at its threshold is secure from the handsof justice
28. City of Kandahar, its principal Bazaar and Citadel, taken from the Nakarra Khauneh, or Royal Band Room
29. Kandahar Lady of Rank, Engaged in Smoking
30. Mosque of Goolaum Hoossein Huzrut- Jee, a great prophet of the Afghauns,and the Tombs of the Kings at Kandahar
Set against the backdrop of the First Afghan War in 1838, part of a strategy to contain Russian expansion, the illustrations contain skilfully executed portraits of natives, and of Emir Dost Mohammid andthe pro-British Shah Suja.
The author James Rattray, a lieutenant in the British Bengal Army, recorded his experiences and produced sketches during the first Anglo-Afghan War (1839 - 1842). Published after the war, the text and illustrationsare autobiographical and recount many of the positive aspects and pitfalls of an ultimately unsuccessful campaign. The book contains detailed accounts and illustrations of individual battles, Afghan cities, local people and customs, geographic features, and indigenous soldiers.
The book reflects the immense demand for depictions and accounts of the Eastern reaches of the Empire. The accounts of travel to an Islamic land and descriptions of its architecture, culture, and dress would havereflected the widespread Western interest in Islamic culture. Although this was a deluxe publication and was expensive when it was published, the text and illustrations were designed to appeal to a popular Victorian audience.
The work is dedicated to the Kandahar force and its late General William Nott, under whom Rattrey served. The views seen in the images include Kandahar, Kabul and Lugdulluk, the scene of the destruction of Elphinstone's forces.
Reference: Abbey Travel 513; Bobins 267; Colas 2489; Lipperheide 1479.
This lot will be sold in "as is" condition.
There may be some minor tears/creases scratches, or holes commensurate with age that may not be visible in the images.
The books on sale in this auction are rare, out-of-print and otherwise collectible, dating from the 19th century on wards. The technology and material for printing and binding books has evolved over the last few centuries. From being the exclusive preserve of Clergy and Kings to an item of everyday application, the availability and use of books has also evolved over time. Books age over time and deterioration in a book's condition depends on many factors, including the original materials used and conditions of usage over time. Books will often show signs of foxing, fading, shelf-ware or dust jacket damage through usage. Prolonged storage may also cause wormhole damage or water stains.
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