Lot Essay
Samuel Bourne (1834-1912) was one of the greatest of English nineteenth century topographical photographers. He travelled to India in 1863, arriving in Calcutta in mid-January from where he sent an article to the British Journal of Photography which was to be the first of a long series describing the trials and successes of a photographer in India, as well as aspects of local life. From Calcutta he set off on the 1200-mile journey to Simla and in July of that year he began his first major trek through the Himalayas accompanied by thirty Indian men who were responsible for carrying the cameras, glass plates and processing equipment required. Bourne used the wet collodion process which was most capable of producing the finely detailed negatives he favoured, but which required the heaviest equipment and was the most labour-intensive process to use in the field.
He went into business with his partner, Howard, in Simla in 1864 and later the same year, Charles Shepherd joined the company. Bourne continued to travel and photograph while Shepherd concentrated on printing and running the business. Bourne worked as a photographer in India over a seven year period, during which time his photographs from all parts of the country were available for sale in India and through book or printsellers in Europe. He continued to send examples of his work for exhibition in England, frequently winning awards and commendations.
On one of his brief visits to England in 1867, Bourne married twenty-three-year-old Mary Tolley, who was to return with him to India. At this time, they opened a second branch of Bourne & Shepherd in Calcutta. The catalogue of images available for sale in 1870 included fifty-two views in and around Calcutta, the view offered here showing the young Mrs. Bourne seated in the Banyan grove in the gardens of the county residence of the Viceroy at Barrackpore, fourteen miles from the city.
The firm continued after Bourne's return to England, with Colin Murray becoming chief photographer. The firm continues in Calcutta today, the oldest established photographers in India.
See also lots 325, 332-334, 350, 352, 357, 360-362, 364, 365, 375, 392, 393.
He went into business with his partner, Howard, in Simla in 1864 and later the same year, Charles Shepherd joined the company. Bourne continued to travel and photograph while Shepherd concentrated on printing and running the business. Bourne worked as a photographer in India over a seven year period, during which time his photographs from all parts of the country were available for sale in India and through book or printsellers in Europe. He continued to send examples of his work for exhibition in England, frequently winning awards and commendations.
On one of his brief visits to England in 1867, Bourne married twenty-three-year-old Mary Tolley, who was to return with him to India. At this time, they opened a second branch of Bourne & Shepherd in Calcutta. The catalogue of images available for sale in 1870 included fifty-two views in and around Calcutta, the view offered here showing the young Mrs. Bourne seated in the Banyan grove in the gardens of the county residence of the Viceroy at Barrackpore, fourteen miles from the city.
The firm continued after Bourne's return to England, with Colin Murray becoming chief photographer. The firm continues in Calcutta today, the oldest established photographers in India.
See also lots 325, 332-334, 350, 352, 357, 360-362, 364, 365, 375, 392, 393.