Views of Calcutta and its environs by D'OYLY, Sir Charles (1781-1845) - 1848

London: Dickinson & Co, 1848. Folio. (27 x 19 1/4 inches). Tinted lithographic title and 27 views on 25 leaves by Dickinson & Co. after d'Oyly (one folding). Expertly bound to style in half green morocco and publisher's green cloth-covered boards, decorative gilt blocked title on upper cover, flat spine gilt, marbled endpapers Provenance: Kimbolton Castle (shelf label) A fine example of this important series of lithographed views: Sir Charles d'Oyly's masterpiece. According to Abbey this work was published for 6 guineas plain (as here) and 10 guineas hand-coloured. The work is one of the three great books on Calcutta by English artists (the works of Thomas Daniell and James Baillie Fraser being the other two). It is also a celebration of the synthesis of cultures that took place in India and reached its early maturity in the city of Calcutta and its environs. In some cases this is not immediately obvious: an almost entirely western scene 'St. Paul's Cathedral, Calcutta' contrasts with the view of the 'Mosque at Borranypore', an entirely Indian scene. However in most cases there is a harmonious mixture of Indian and British subject matter which gives d'Oyly's views their unique flavour. They were intended to display the vigour and confidence of British empire builders in an exotic location but end up being much more than this. D'Oyly's love and deep knowledge of the Indian sub-continent means that he is able to capture the small details which were missed by most European artists of the time. Born in India, Sir Charles d'Oyly was educated in England, before returning to India in the service of the East India Company in 1798. By 1808 he was Collector of Dacca, and in 1818 succeeded to baronet. After serving in a series of posts throughout India, culminating in his appointment as Senior Member of the Board of Customs, Salt and Opium, and of the Marine Board in 1833, he returned to England in 1838, and retired in 1839. He is now best known for his work as an amateur artist and publisher of lithographs (he set up his own lithographic press at Patna in 1828: 'The Behar Amateur Lithographic Press'). Bishop Heber, who stayed with him at Bankipore, wrote that d'Oyly was 'the best gentleman artist I ever met with' and this is certainly borne out by the present work which includes excellent views of many of the main sights of Calcutta. Cf. Abbey Travel II,497; Tooley 187.