A lovely copy of the rare coloured issue.
This collection of handsome lithographed views was “taken during a very pleasant and interesting excursion made with a few friends from Simla, over the Snowy Range of the Himalayas, during September in the year 1845 … during a residence at Simla, and … during a visit paid at the Neilgherry Hills, in the Madras Presidency, in 1847,” published by Fullerton to give “some notion of the magnificent scenery to be found amongst the mountains of the Far East” (Preface).
This copy is distinguished by the presentation inscription on the front free endpaper: “To H.E. Porter With sincere regards from J.A. Fullerton 9th Lancers.”
The list of plates are as follows:
1. View between Mutteana and Nakunda 2. Village of Shael 3. The Tikhur Fort 4. Village of Kussain 5. Rooroo, on the Pabur River 6. The Fort and Village of Buttowlee 7. The Village of Poojalee 8. The Village of Jakee 9. Snow Bridge, or Glacier, on the Roupin River 10. Upper View of the Snow Bridge 11. The Raldung Peaks 12. The Valley of the Buspa River 13. From Leetee, near the Borendo Pass 14. View on the Pabur River, near Chergaon 15. Kotkhaee, on the River Girree 16. Village of Synge 17. View of the Dhera Dhoon 18. Simla-Jacko, from Elysium Hill 19. The Commander-in-Chief’s House, and Upper Part of the Bazaar 20. View from Simla 21. Mahassoo, from Simla 22. The Segoor Pass in the Neilgherry Hills 23. Ootacamund, Neilgherry Hills 24. Ootacamund (another view).
“Since the overslip on the title-page carrying Dickinson’s imprint … does not appear to cover anything, a possible theory to account for its presence would be that Dickinson’s originally undertook to produce the book privately for Colonel Fullerton … and that they then decided to publish it commercially. The presence of the list of subscribers does not necessarily destroy this theory, since Fullerton may have invited subscribers himself. The list contains 106 names” (Abbey).
Abbey Travel, 499; Yakushi (1994), F231.
