The Textile Manufactures and the Costumes of the People of India. Prepared Under the Authority of the Secretary of State for India in Council.

Published by London: Wm. H. Allen & Co., 1867

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Seller: Peter Harrington. ABA/ ILAB., London, United KingdomPeter Harrington. ABA/ ILAB.

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Condition: Used

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Item description from seller

Second edition of a comprehensive and visually rich account of local and regional tastes, organized into articles that leave the loom ready to be worn and piece goods which require additional work. The illustrations depict how a range of garments were worn, close-ups of ornamental braiding, carpet and rug designs, and the process of creating the legendary "Dacca Muslins". This work was first printed for the India Office in 1866 to accompany Watson's Collection of the Textile Manufacturers of India, limited to 20 sets of 18 volumes, with each set containing over 700 fabric samples. Termed "Industrial Museums" by Watson, these works were "simultaneously an ethnographic catalogue and a brief for increased commerce with India" (ODNB). By educating British manufacturers on Indian textile traditions and consumer preferences, these works supported the production of British machine-made goods for home and imperial markets, reinforcing Britain's commercial dominance at the expense of India's traditional handloom industry. The erosion of indigenous textile production later became a powerful symbol for nationalist campaigns. Dr John Forbes Watson (1827-1892), trained as a physician and between 1850 and 1853 served as assistant surgeon to the Bombay Army Medical Service. After returning to London, in 1858 he was appointed Director of the India Museum and Reporter of the Products of India for the India Office, where he spent decades cataloguing the commercial wealth of the subcontinent for the British government. Octavo (376 x 272 mm). With 12 plates, of which 9 composite albumen prints (8 hand-coloured), lithograph, photo-lithograph, photo-chromolithograph, including some after William Griggs. Recent purple quarter morocco, spine lettered in gilt, purple cloth sides, front cover lettered within double fillet frame in blind, edges sprinkled red. Ownership inscription of one Thomas Watson, possibly the silk spinner and MP (1821-1887), dated 1873. Sporadic foxing to contents including plate edges, repairs at margins, damp-staining to some leaves and all plates, but images unaffected. A very good copy.…

Seller Inventory # 192487

Bibliographic details

Title
The Textile Manufactures and the Costumes of the People of India. Prepared Under the Authority of the Secretary of State for India in Council.
Author
WATSON, J. Forbes.
Publisher
London: Wm. H. Allen & Co., 1867

Peter Harrington. ABA/ ILAB.

London, United Kingdom

5-star seller

AbeBooks seller since July 26, 1999

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Peter Harrington Antiquarian Bookseller has grown to become one of the largest and best known rare booksellers in Europe. Member of the ABA and ILAB. Visit us in the UK at 100 Fulham Road, Chelsea, London SW3 6HS Phone +44 (0)20 7591 0220 Fax +44 (0)20 7225 7054 www.peterharrington.co.uk

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Peter Harrington Ltd

100 Fulham Road
London, United Kingdom SW3 6HS