Photo 745

Black and blue half-leather album, 285x388mm, containing mounted prints with handwritten captions. A dedication on the front free endpaper reads: 'Evan Cotton from J.J.C., Nov 10 1900'. Accompanying the collection are three items of ephemera published by the photographers, Nicholas & Co. (These have now been extracted from this collection and can be found at Photo 6 (11).

1) Catalogue: List of Nicholas and Co's photographic views.

2) Advertisement and order form (two copies): The Temple of Sompalle, Cuddapah District.

'We beg to announce the following series of views of above just taken:

1. Entrance through the Old Fort.

2. General view of Monolith and Temple.

3. Stone car in Front Muntapam.

4. Interior Kalyana Muntapam.

5. General view ,, ,,

6. The Dhwaja Stumbham or Flag Staff pillar 52 feet high.

6a. ,, lower portion showing details of carving.

...... Also taken at the same time a series of 6 Photos cabinet size of Sukalis (Lambadis) the well-known Gipsy-tribe of the Ceded Districts, showing the characteristic dress and ornaments of the women:

1. A Sukali Beauty.

2. ,, ,, (reclining).

3. Two Sukali girls.

4. Group of women.

5. ,, ,,

6. Group of 2 men and 3 women.'.

3) Press reports (two copies): Opinions of the press on Nicholas & Co's views of Sompalle Temple. Extracts from The Madras Mail, 25th August 1900, and The Madras Times, 28th August 1900, in which the photographs are described as being taken by Mr Higginbotham of Nicholas & Co. The firm was prompted to visit the temple after a letter by J.J. Cotton was published on the 4th August in which he lamented the fact that the temple was seldom seen.

The photographs in the album include those views advertised by Nicholas & Co as well as other views and portraits with J.J. Cotton at the temple. It is probable that Higginbotham visited Sompalle with Cotton (one print is dated 19th August) and took some informal photographs at the same time as the official views.

Photographers = Nicholas & Co., ;