Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 15037 - Autographs, Historical Documents, Ephemera and Postal History
Lot: 72

Documents
India Durbars and Royal Visits
1903 Coronation Durbar
An impressive, four bound volumes, being Correspondence concerning particulars, equipment and maintenance of the Camp of the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal at the Imperial Coronation Durbar at Delhi in 1902-03. This unique collection with correspondence, plans, photos and ephemera relating to the Delhi Durbar of 1903 was collected by Major J. Strachey, Private Secretary to the Lt.-Governor of Bengal.



This is an astonishing and comprehensive collection, mostly printed documents relating to all aspects and requirements for the good operatin of this important event. It covers all aspects from committee reports, ordering of native flags, the organising of the military, seating arrangements and protection of dignitaries along with background information about them, arrangements of temporary telegraph offices, camp plans and maps, parade strengths and regulations. A huge amount of information with regard to the camp with orders for tents and fittings, furniture, stoves, eating utensils, etc. Railway transport with examples of the different labels used, a train plan with the seating arrangements for the dignitaries plus the shipment of horses and carriages. A mine of information about the financial accounts with a pencil note indicating that the total cost was R,253,196: receipts from the Army & Navy Co-operative Society, detailed lists of the amount of individual items of food consumed for each day of the camp, guest lists for various dinner parties. A booklet of Notes and Information for Guests, examples of special postmarks, further Camp plans and blueprints, lighting including a plan of a street lamp and examples of the special camp stationery. The final volume with ephemera including postage stamps cancelled by the special postmark, special playing cards (court cards from all four suits), examples of illustrated menus and a fine selection of photographs, both large and small, including the procession, including local dignitaries on elephants, mounted soldiers; general views of the Viceroy's Camp, Bengal Camp, group picture of the European dignitaries with key, the 'Drawing Room' and 'Dining Room', group pictures of the Mutiny Veterans and a similar for the native soldiers; a wide range of pictures of the procession at the Durbar with the dressed elephants, elaborate carriages and others.


A rare and wonderful opportunity of acquiring this most important mine of information. Photo

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£4,000