Curzon Collection: 'Afghan War 1878-79. Peshawur Valley Field Force. J. Burke'. Photographer(s):...

Maroon half-leather bound album measuring 315 x 455 mm, with title as above stamped in gold on leather label laid down on front cover. The album is secured with a brass clasp and is in generally firm condition apart from some scuffing and tears to top and bottom of spine piece. The prints are mounted one to a page with handwritten captions and photographer's reference number in ink beneath each photograph. A 4pp. letterpress catalogue sheet listing Burke's Afghan views is contained in the album, and this sometimes adds to the information given in the album captions. In these cases, Burke's catalogue captions are also given, enclosed in square brackets after the album caption. Most of the prints are in good condition, apart from torn patches in a few which appear to be the result of prints on facing pages sticking together due to damp or humidity. A number of the prints in this album (those covering the advance up to the signing of the Treaty of Gandamak) are duplicated in Photo 487, which has an identical binding to this volume and is a copy of 'The Afghan Book' advertised in the Burke catalogue. It is clear from a letter from Burke in the Curzon Collection (Mss Eur F111/49 f. 118) that Lord Curzon acquired two Burke albums of Afghan views (Photo 430/2 and Photo 430/3) while staying with H. M. Sandeman at the Residency in Quetta in December 1894, after his private visit to Kabul of the previous month. In this note from Lahore dated 15 December 1894, the photographer writes:. 'I beg to acknowledge with thanks your favour of 3rd current dated from Kabul, and in response thereto, I have this day sent to your address, by Passenger Train, two albums, each containing a complete series of views of (1) India to Kabul & (2) In Kabul. As, most unfortunately, many of the plates have got broken, or otherwise useless & the chances are that you may wish to order some of those very ones, we are willing to let you have – and would respectfully suggest your taking – the Albums as they stand. They will be interesting and valuable as they contain a series absolutely unique and we will take the comparatively small sum of only Rs 200/- for them. If you order from them, we will, of course, be happy to comply, as far as in our power, but with the reservation noted. Awaiting your further commands,. We are, Sir,. Yours faithfully,. J. Burke & Co. PS. We are sorry we have no photos of the Armigon [?] – Gilgit road, nor Hunza & the Pamirs. Some – a very few – of the Photos are slightly injured, but not so as to detract from their value.'.

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