Photo 92/17

Green buckram and half-leather bound album measuring 335 x 420 mm. The binding is in poor condition, with cloth lifting owing to damp and boards partially detached. The prints, however, are in generally fair condition, most mounted one to a page (recto only), with captions written in neat copperplate beneath. The album is a companion to Photo 92/16 and continues the documentation of the archaeological remains of the ruined cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, with some additional views of Sigiriya and Mihintale. As with Photo 92/16, a number of the views have been marked up for cropping. There are also in this volume a number of general views of Sri Lanka and several unassociated studies of North African types. The majority of the photographs are by Joseph Lawton, the other Sri Lankan ones by Scowen and Co., and the North African ones by an unknown photographer (possibly Zangaki). As with Photo 92/16, many of the captions have been amended in Geraldine Mitton's hand. For a note on the background to the archaeological documentation of Sri Lankan sites by Lawton and Geraldine Mitton's own interest in the subject, see introduction to Photo 92/16.

This volume also has a letter from Mrs Hawtrey Thwaites to Geraldine Mitton, dated 2.7.1917, pasted onto the endpaper, which explains how the pair of albums came into Lady Mitton's possession. This reads in part: 'Dear Sir [sic], I feel that I would like to thank you for the great pleasure I have had in reading your book 'The Buried [sic, for Lost] Cities of Ceylon'. It has recalled to me many old memories for you have caught the very spirit of the place. I first went to Ceylon in 1882. The buried cities were not then under the official care of Mr H. C. P. Bell [Archaeological Commissioner of Ceylon 1890-1912], though they must have been soon after. We knew him very well and I well remember his enthusiasm, also that of Mr Archibald Murray [sic, for Alexander Murray, Provincial Engineer]. They worked together in those days. I have a number of strange stumpy little coins that Mr Bell unearthed and gave to me ... I have a collection of Mr Lawton's photographs of Anuradhapura. You mention them in your book. They must date from before 1882 but are still clear and good, only they are in 2 rather heavy books. If you would allow me I would be very glad to make you a present of them for the great pleasure you have given me and because you are so appreciative of the place. Here there is no one who understands them now. They remain untouched for years at a time. But they are rather heavy. Still, if you would care to have them, I can send them to any place you mention ... S. Thwaites (Mrs Hawtrey Thwaites).'