Milo Beach collection, Samuel Bourne Photographs

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of three photographic prints, mounted on board, by Samuel Bourne: I. Albumen print from wet collodion negative, 24 x 29 cm., circa 1870, signed on the plate with the catalog number 1340. Penciled in the lower right corner "Kutab Minar with the Great Arch and From the West - Delhi". Photo depicts the Qutb Minar at Quwwat al-Islam mosque in Delhi. II. Albumen print from wet collodion negative, 23 x 29 cm., circa 1870. Depicts the Jain temple known as the Court of Indra at the Ellora Caves near Aurangabad in the Indian state of Maharashtra. III. Albumen print from wet collodion negative, 24 x 29 cm., circa 1870. Depicts the Bibi Ka Maqbara (Tomb of Rabia Durrani) in Aurangabad.

Arrangement

Organized in one flat box.

Biographical / Historical

Samuel Bourne (1834-1912) had already begun to earn recognition for his work in England, having exhibited at the London International Exhibition of 1862, when he decided to give up his position in a bank and depart for India to work as a professional photographer. He arrived in Calcutta early in 1863, initially setting up a partnership with William Howard. They moved up to Simla, where they established a new studio Howard & Bourne, to be joined in 1864 by Charles Shepherd, to form Howard, Bourne & Shepherd. By 1866, after the departure of Howard, it became Bourne & Shepherd, the name under which the firm continues to operate to this day. Although Bourne only spent 6 years in India, his time there was extremely productive. He undertook three major expeditions in the Himalayas, creating an impressive body of work which combined the highest technical quality and a keen artistic eye, while working under difficult physical conditions. Bourne left India for good in 1870, selling his interest in Bourne & Shepherd shortly thereafter and abandoning commercial photography.

Biographical / Historical

The Qutb Minar in Delhi, India, is the world's tallest brick and stone minaret, standing 72.5 meters high. The structure is one of the earliest examples of Indo-Islamic architecture and was commissioned by India's first Muslim ruler, Qutb-ud-din Aibak, marking the beginning of Muslim rule which would end only with the arrival of the British in the 19th century. Ancient Hindu temples located on the site were torn down and the debris was used in the construction.

Biographical / Historical

The archaeological site known as Ellora is located approximately 19 miles from the city of Aurangabad in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Known for its monumental caves, Ellora is an outstanding example of Indian rock-cut architecture. The 34 "caves" - structures excavated out of the vertical face of the Charanandri hills - are Buddhist, Hindu and Jain rock-cut temples and monasteries, dating from between the 5th century and 10th century.

Biographical / Historical

Bibi Ka Maqbara, which translates as "Tomb of the Lady," is a mausoleum near Aurangabad. Modeled after the Taj Mahal, the Bibi Ka Maqbara was built between 1651 and 1661 by Prince Azam Khan Shah, son of the Mugal Emperor Aurangzeb, in honor his mother Rabia Durani, also known as Dilras Banu Begum.