RARE BIG RUN OF THE ART JOURNAL PUBLISHED BY THE ALL INDIA FINE ARTS AND CRAFTS SOCIETY, DELHI
ROOPA-LEKHA 1930s to 1980s. One lot of about 37 volumes
Vol 1 nos 1-4
Vol 2 nos 5-8
Vol 3 nos 9-12
Vol 3 no 1 1946 (wrongly printed on title)
Quarterly when brought out, later published bi annually each volume containing 2 nos each.
Vol 20 (1948), Vol 21 (1949-50), Vol 22 (1951), Vol 23-24 (1952-53), Vol 25 (1954), Vol 26 (1955), Vol 27 (1956), Vol 28 (1958), Vol 29 (1958), Vol 30 (1959, wrongly printed on title, as vol 29), Vol 31 (1960), Vol 32 (1961), Vol 33 (1962), Vol 34 (1963), Vol 35 (1964), Vol 36(1966), Vol 37 (1967), Vol 38(1968), Vol 40(1972), Vol 41 (1973), Vol 42 (1974),Vol 43 (1975), Vol 44 (1976), Vol 50 (1978-79), Vol 52 (1981), Vol 53 (1982), Vol 54 (1983), Vol 55 (1984), Vol 56 (1984), Vol 57 (1985), Vol 58 (1986), Vol 62-63(1993)
No. 1-no. 4 constitute v. 1. Some no. are combined. Suspended 1935-June 1939, 1941-42, July 1943-45.
ALL THE VOLUMES HAVE BEEN BEAUTIFULLY BOUND IN MARBLED BOARDS, WITH ORIGINAL WRAPPERS BOUND IN, SOME EARLY VOLUMES MAY HAVE SOME PAGES AND PLATES SUPPLIED IN FACSIMILE
Roopalekha was the first journal to be published in northern India entirely devoted to fine arts. The All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society (AIFACS) is an independent arts organization in India, founded in Delhi in 1928.
The following year 1931 saw the formal establishment of the All India Fine Arts & Crafts Society by the Ukil brothers, and by July 1939 their bi-annual illustrated art journal Roopa-Lekha (Vol. 1, Serial No. 1) was published.
The editorial board consisted of Ananda K. Coomaraswamy, James H. Cousins, Ajit Ghose, Karl Khandalvala, G. Venkatachalam and Barada Ukil. The cover was designed by Kumudini Devi, Ukil's mother, which carried typical traditional Bengali motifs such as lotus, conch-shell and Goddess Lakshmi's foot-marks. Even a cursory glance at the contents table and the list of colored and monochrome illustrations of this first issue will prove beyond doubt the pan-Indian philosophy and outlook, irrespective of styles and -isms, even in those early years of this organization's existence.
One interesting observation about the chronology of Roopa-Lekha is that there is discrepancy in its numbering. Whereas the July 1939 issue is designated as Vol. 1/Serial No. 1 the 1949 issue is designated as Vol. XX/Serial No. 1. It is possible that the publishers faced some problems during the initial years of its publication.
From 1932 to 1940, the Society held exhibitions of Indian Art in most of the important cities of India as well as in London and Paris. Also, the society took up the responsibility of publishing the art journal Roopa-Lekha. It was reorganized and registered in 1938 and a drive was made by the Society for establishing a National Art Gallery in New Delhi.
Co-operation and support of important art-centres like Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, Lucknow and Lahore was enlisted" (Roopa-Lekha, 1949, pp. 54-55). It was during this period that AIFACS had organised Amrita Sher-Gil's first solo in Delhi in 1937.
AIFACS organizes art exhibitions and makes awards to artists across the country. Among the most prominent artists exhibited in the 1940s were Amrita Sher-Gil, Sailoz Mookherjea and Manishi Dey. Many other followed in the long history of the AIFACS.
Source: http://www.chitralekha.org/articles/sarada-ukil/sarada-ukil-profile-pioneer
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.
The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email. Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Storyltd shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.