Mortimer Menpes - Durbar - 1903

Lovely Art Nouveau designed volume of this wonderfully illustrated book, 100 colour plates painted by Menpes

The Menpes recorded in words and paintings their experiences from Camp Number One during the Coronation Durbar, held in Delhi to celebrate the accession of Edward VII to the British throne and title of Emperor of India. This ceremony was presided over by the Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon. This was the second of the Delhi Durbars, which were great ceremonial gatherings held as demonstrations of loyalty to the crown.

Mempes' paintings include many portraits, military processionals, shows, events, marches and state functions. While very impressive in artist talent and style, they are also historically important artifacts of one of the grandest moments of the British Empire at its pinnacle.

Item Description
A fascinating travel classic book in the original cloth bindings. The book is wonderfully illustrated with 100 striking full page colour plates, captioned on the tissue guards by Mortimer Menpes (Mortimer Luddington Menpes (1855 – 1938), was an Australian-born British painter, author, printmaker and illustrator). With text by Dorothy Menpes.

Published by Adam and Charles Black, London, 1903. Publisher’s original brown buckram boards, with a peacock design on the front and design printed in blue and orange on the front and spine, titling blocked in gilt on the front and spine. Top page edges gilt.

Book Dimensions: 23 x 17 x 4.5 cm and Number of Pages: 210

Condition
External covers with some fading and marks, and minor wear to corners, and some rubbing to head and foot of spine. Internally the book is in good condition. No names or inscription. Slight splits to inner hinges at couple places. Foxing to the margin of pages, the text is fresh. The plates are bright (Please see pictures).