Set of 81 Postcards on Bombay
Collection of 81 postcards by Universal Postal Union (2); Clifton & Co. (3); The Phototype Company, Bombay (6); G.B.V. Ghoni, Bombay (1); D Macropolo & Co., Calcutta (1); Raphael Tuck & Sons (4); and others (64)
A substantial assemblage depicting the landscapes and monuments of Bombay. Many examples are finely coloured, while others are in monochrome, some with embossed borders; a few bear divided backs. Each postcard is captioned in print, c. 1900–1940s.
Each: 3.5 × 5.5 in (9 × 14 cm)
Postcards were the Instagram of the early 20th century. - Dr Stephen Putnam Hughes
"Postcards were to the people in 1900 what the Internet was to the world in 2000. Postcards can be thought of as the world's first mass transmission of images. The world went from thousands to a billion postcards in a very short span of time, and the finest painters from all over the world got involved in this." - Omar Khan
Step back in time with this exquisite collection of vintage postcards, each a window to the past. Spanning the early 20th century, these postcards showcase different views of Bombay captured in stunning detail. Ideal for collectors and historians alike, this lot offers not only a glimpse into the artistic and cultural trends of bygone eras but also presents a unique opportunity to own a piece of the world's postal heritage. Add depth to your collection and embark on a visual journey through history with these charming and beautifully preserved artefacts.
1. Urban Landmarks and Colonial Architecture
Focus: Public buildings, civic institutions, and symbols of imperial authority.
Victoria Terminus & Municipal Hall, Bombay, No. 39
High Court of Judicature, Bombay, , Clifton & Co., Bombay, No. 50
General Post Office, Bombay, No. 184768
The Town Hall, Bombay, No. 209455
The Town Hall, Bombay, No.445
St. Thomas' Cathedral, Bombay, No. 56224
Interior of St.Thomas Cathedral, Bombay, No. 184140
The Army and Navy Stores, Bombay, No. 184130
Sir J J Hospital, Bombay, No. 184120
St. George's Hospital, Bombay, No. 56232
Chartered Bank, Bombay, No. 239641
City Trust Offices, Bombay, No. 209613
H.M's Mint, Bombay, No. 209627
Municipal Buildings, Bombay (India), Shurey's Publications, UK
Municipal Offices, Bombay, No. 363
The "Times of India" Buildings, Bombay, No.56242
Government Telegraph Offices, Bombay, No. 20906
2. Monuments, Memorials and Statues
Focus: Imperial and civic commemorations and public sculptures.
Statue of Lord Reay, Bombay, No. 56348
Queen Victoria's Statue, Bombay, No. 56254
The Esplanade Road and Flora Fountain, Bombay
Bombay. Elphinstone Circle No.2, BO 713
Elphinstone Circle, Bombay
Elphinstone Circles, Bombay
Floral Fountain, Bombay, The Phototype Company, Bombay, No.75
3. Harbour, Railways and Infrastructure
Focus: The maritime and railway networks that defined Bombay’s commercial modernity.
Victoria Terminus, Bombay
Victoria Terminus and Municipal Hall, Bombay, No. 56368
Victoria Terminus G.I.P. Rly. Station, No. 231
View of B.B.& C.I.Ry. Offices and Queen's Road, Bombay, No. 184776
Colaba Station Yard
Apollo Bunder Road, Bombay, The Phototype Company, Bombay, No. 37
Lighthouses, Colaba, Bombay, No. 184126
Great Western Hotel, Bombay, No. 184775
View of Colaba, Bombay
The Tajmahal Hotel, Bombay, No. 184746
4. Streets, Markets and Everyday Life
Focus: The urban pulse—bazaars, streets, and civic scenes reflecting the cosmopolitan mix of Bombay’s population.
Esplanade Road, Bombay, Clifton & Co., Bombay, No. 21
Hornby Road, Bombay, The Phototype Company, Bombay, No. 31
Native Streets in Bombay, No. 227
A Native Street in Bombay, No. 56330
Crawford Market, Bombay, No. 220
Novelty Theatre, Bombay, No. 184132
Officers Mess Marine Lines, Bombay, No.209633
Marine Lines, Bombay, No.56244
Queen's Road, Bombay
Taboot Procession, Bombay, No. 184750
5. Gardens, Parks and Public Leisure Spaces
Focus: Representations of Bombay’s planned green spaces and promenades.
A Corner of the Victoria Gardens, Bombay, No. 56360
A Corner of the Victoria Gardens, Bombay, No. 184771
A Scene in Victoria Gardens, Bombay, No.209421
Bombay. Entrance to Victoria Gardens, D Macroplo & Co., Calcutta, No. BO 714
Orient Club, Chowpatty, Bombay, No. 209636
View from Chowpatty, Bombay, Clifton & Co., Bombay, No. 4
Chowpatty, Bombay
Palm Grove, Bombay, No. 364
6. Religious and Cultural Heritage
Focus: Sacred architecture and diversity of worship in colonial Bombay.
Juma Musjid, Bombay
The Jumma Musjid, Bombay, Universal Postal Union, No. 56250
Parsee Tower of Silence, No. 18605
Parsee Fire Temple, Bombay
Parsi Fire Temple, Bombay, No. 782
Parsi Tower of Silence
Church of the Holy Name, Bombay, The Phototype Company, Bombay, No. 46
Round Temple, Sandhurst Road, Bombay
Elephanta. The "Trimurti" (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva), The Phototype Company, Bombay
7. Panoramic and Topographical Views
Focus: Broad prospects of the city’s geography—Malabar Hill, Back Bay, and skyline vistas.
Panorama View, Bombay, No. 184115
View from Malabar Hill, Bombay
The Ridge, Malabar Hill, Bombay, No. 184133
Malabar Hill, Bombay, Universal Postal Union
View from Clock Tower, Bombay
Bombay Harbour, from Apollo Bunder, No. 184770
Bombay. Harbour from Apollo Bunder
View of Elephanta Cave, Bombay
8. Education, Culture and Institutions
Focus: Centres of learning, culture, and science.
Elphinstone College and Sasoon Library, Bombay, G.B.V. Ghoni, Bombay
Port Trust Offices, Bombay, No. 209629
Freemason Hall, Bombay, No. 209625
Public Buildings, Bombay, No. 184752
Bombay- Public Buildings, The Phototype Company, Bombay, No. 7
9. Iconic Bombay Series by Raphael Tuck & Sons (“Oilette” Series)
Focus: Distinct sub-series within the lot, issued in printed colour lithography.
Victoria Terminus Station, Bombay, From Raphael Tuck & Sons "OILETTE" Wide Wide World Bombay - Series I. Card No. 8225
Bombay Victoria Terminus, from Raphael Tuck & Sons "OILETTE" Wide Wide World Bombay. Card No. 7022
The Crawford Market, Bombay, from Raphael Tuck & Sons "OILETTE" Wide Wide World Bombay. Card No. 8926
Bombay. Queens Road showing Palms, from Raphael Tuck & Sons "OILETTE" Wide Wide World Bombay. Card No. 3970
10. Bombay in Transition: Composite Urban Identity
Focus: Overlapping civic, religious, and leisure identities—suitable for a final cluster or exhibition summary.
Colaba Causeway, Bombay, No. 209631
Nepean Sea Road (South), Bombay, No. 184113
Wellington Lines, Bombay, No. 184112
NON-EXPORTABLE
This lot is offered at RESERVE
This lot will be shipped in "as is" condition. For further details, please refer to the images of individual lots as reference for the condition of each book.
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