The Pagoda of Hallibeed, illustrated by fifty-six photographic views, with descriptive...

Imprint: London: Published by Thos. M'Lean, 26, Haymarket. 1859. Red half-leather volume measuring 342 x 505 mm, with prints laid down on recto, and letterpress descriptions on verso. The volume has been rebound, the text pages laminated and tissue interleaving placed between text and photographs. The original spine piece of the book has been retained and is stored with the volume. The work was issued in an edition of 25 copies. This volume was originally part of the India Office Library Printed Book Collection (pressmark X.645), but was transferred to the Prints and Drawings Section in 1996.Little is known of Richard Banner Oakeley, apart from the fact that he was a member of the Royal Geographical Society, and gives some account of his travels and photographic activities in the preface to the work: 'Whilst travelling through the Madras Presidency towards the close of 1856, I was strongly recommended by my friend, Dr. Neill, of the 1st Madras Light Cavalry [Andrew Charles Brisbane Neill, who had himself photographed extensively at Halebid with Linneaus Tripe in 1854], to visit Hallibeede...I was told of a wonderful Temple said to exist there, but very few of the many from whom I sought information, knew anything about it, and it was with very great difficulty, and after a march of some twenty days along the most miserable cross country roads conceivable, that I succeeded in finding this splendid Temple....Having a Photographic Apparatus with me, I lost no time in committing to waxed paper faithful reproductions of almost every portion of the Sculpture, which literally covers its wall. Of the merit of the Photographs as specimens of art, I must leave an indulgent public to judge, only observing, by way of anticipating critcism, that they were done under very great disadvantages,—a considerable portion of my apparatus was broken in the over-land journey, our servants were all ill, many at the same time with rheumatic fever, and moreover, this was my first attempt at Photographing in a hot climate. I was compelled to reject the formulae I had used in England, and adopt such as residents in the country found to succeed, or discover new ones for myself...To the zealous assistance of my friend and travelling companion, Mr Gregory Knight, I owe much of my success, and have to thank him for many a pleasant hour spent in his society, which would otherwise have hung heavily on my hands...'.

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