Photo 472/1

Red full-leather bound album (some scuffs and tears and spine piece detached), measuring 330x390mm. Inscribed on front free endpaper, 'H. F. S. Ramsden, Madras Staff Corps, Madras, Nov. 83.' A later note, in ballpoint pen, reads, 'All, or nearly all, photos taken in India. Should go to India Office Library if they want it. G.R. 4/7/79.' Prints are mounted one to a page, the majority captioned in pencil in a contemporary hand. Some later caption notes have been amended for this catalogue where they question identifications which are in fact correct. The album was compiled by Colonel Herbert Frecheville Smyth Ramsden (1856-1931), Indian Army, father of Sir Geoffrey Ramsden, and can be broken down into the following subject areas:

Prints 1-4 Views of Carlton Hall, Notts., possibly a family home.

Print 5 Afghan War scene.

Prints 6-40 Architectural and topographical views in South India, mainly Madras, Madurai and Mamallapuram.

Prints 41-49 Architectural and topographical views in Burma, mainly Mandalay.

Sir Geoffrey Charles Frescheville Ramsden (1893-1990) entered the army in 1914 and served as a captain with the 1st Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment on the North-West Frontier from 1915-19. He entered the Indian Civil Service the following year and was Secretary to the Indian Tariff Board from 1923-25. In 1926 and from 1931-34, he was Deputy Commissioner of Jubbulpore, and Commissioner, Jubbulpore Division 1936 and 1941-44. From 1937-40, he was Commissioner, Chhatisgarh Division and also served as Financial Commissioner, Central Provinces and Berar from 1941-45 and 1946-47. He retired in 1948.