Photographic interest. The Ameer Namah. A scarce Calcutta printing of 1870 with original tipped in photographs

The Ameer Namah. A Persian work compiled by Moonshee Ameer Ali Khan Bahadoor with an abstract translation in English. Printed at the Muzhurool-Ajauyeb Press, Calcutta 1870. Small 4to [10½ x 7¼ ins]

Lithographed Persian text with a few decorative printed pages, 56 pages comprising printed title page, introduction and summary in English, 13 mounted albumen prints tipped to separate pages, each captioned in English in ink on the reverse of the mount [plus one original loose example added from another copy as that portrait was missing from this copy].  Original purple cloth, blind stamped, with gilt title to spine, cloth faded and with some damp staining and wear with slight tears and loss at head and tail of spine, the stitching somewhat loose. Despite these remarks the book is in generally good condition for a rare Calcutta printing of this age. jun24/1

The photographic plates vary in the amount of fading but most are in very good state. One portrait is missing from this volume but we have been able to provide an original from another copy. This list of the plates gives the description as it appears on the verso in ink on each sheet and begins with the last page when viewed with a European eye but first in the Persian view of the book:

Moonshee Ameer Alli Khan Bahadoor, Calcutta        132 x 94 mm         This page also has the inscription at the head of the page To Colonel W. N. Lees, L.L.D. with the Author’s best compliments.

Her Most Gracious Majesty Victoria Empress of India 130 x 90 mm [This a photograph of a painting of the robed and crowned queen].

His Excellency The Earl of Mayo, K.P.   133 x 97 mm    Richard Southwell Bourke 6^th Earl of Mayo [1822 – 1872]. Viceroy of India 1869 -1872 when he was assassinated in the Andaman Islands.

The Honorable Sir William Grey, K.C.S.I.   130 x 88 mm      [1818 -1878, held many posts in Bengal and a member of the Supreme Council 1862 – 67, retired in 1871.

The Right Honorable Lord John Lawrence, G.C.B., G.C.S.I.  90 x 57 mm   Sir John Lawrence, 1^st Baron Lawrence of the Punjab [1811 – 1879] Viceroy of India 1862-69

The Honorable Sir Cecil Beadon, K.C.S.I.     130 x 95 mm  [1816 –1880]  Lieutenant Governor of Bengal 1862-1869..Her Excellency

The Countess of Mayo    78 x 54 mm    Vicereine 1869 – 1872.

His Royal Highness Prince Alfred Ernest Albert Duke of Edinburgh, K.G., K.P., G.C.S.I. 120 x 77 mm           2^nd son of Queen Victoria. He made the first royal visit to India

Darjeeling       174 x 134 mm      A general view with the church in the centre.

People of Darjeeling         173 x 133 mm     This is a photograph of Bhutias, a Buddhist sect found mainly in Sikkim although the oldest of their monasteries is in Darjeeling.

Simla                                    175 x 140 mm    A view looking down to the town with the church in the centre.

People of Simla                   175 x 134 mm

His Grace the Duke of Argyll, K.T.       92 x 61 mm     George Douglas Campbell 8^th Duke of Argyll. Secretary of State for India 1868-1874.

We have added a loose page from another copy with the portrait missing from this one:

The Honourable Sir F J Halliday, K.C.B.          140 X 106 mm      Sir Frederick James Halliday [1806-1901]  Lieutenant Governor of Bengal 1852 -59. In office during the Mutiny.

A very scarce book and the few copies noted quite often have missing illustrations. We have noted one other original copy listed on Abebooks recently, It  is in America and appears not to have the photographs of Darjeeling, Simla, and the local people. It is priced in excess of £6.000.

  Ameer Ali Khan was a legal and financial adviser to Wajid Ali Shah, the last King of Oude [now Awadh], after he was deposed upon the annexation of Oude by the British Indian Government. His book gives his memoirs with some history of Oude and its relationship with the East India Company and the British Government. He takes rather a  positive view of British influence and rule in India. He sees himself as “ Having now succeeded in mending the affairs of the ex-King, which were in a very disorderly and confused state, my labours, I feel flattered to say, met with the approbation of His Excellency the Viceroy and Governor General, and the Secretary of State, as well as of the ex-King, and the recognition of these services led to the presentation to me of Khilluts, and to the conferment upon me of more honour and distinction.” The English section of the book includes numerous letters received by the author from high British officials and his choice of portraits in the book shows his priorities and notably omits any of the Nawabs and Kings of Oude.                Khilluts translate as dress of honour but can include any sort of treasure, usually robes, jewels, and arms.

 Colonel William Nassau Lees [1825 – 1889], to whom this copy was presented by the author. was a noted Orientalist. He was commissioned into the 42nd Bengal Infantry in 1845, appointed Captain in 1853 and Lieutenant Colonel 1868. The 42nd mutinied and although Lees is still shown on the strength of the 42nd in the 1850s he was in civil employ and Principal of the Madras College in Calcutta.