Sepia photo of an elephant battery, Peshawar, India, British (1877)

Title	Sepia photo of an elephant battery, Peshawar, India
Nationality	British
Period	1877

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This sepia photograph, pasted on a card page torn from an album, shows an elephant battery on the parade ground at Peshawar (in NWF Province). A magnificent image of this unique (as far as I know) form of artillery, showing British gun teams at their howitzers with Indian mahoots on the elephants.

The dimensions of the photo are 27.5 x 17.5cm. The card page, on which the photo is stuck, appears to have a synthetic, washed-silk-look backing, with a pencil inscription, 'Album of Capt Churchward RA'. There is further annotation to the photograph, 'Major Wilson', beside the man on horseback between the two lines of elephants, and 'W.S.C.' beside another figure. The guns are Armstrong breach-loaders functioning with black powder.

The condition is generally sharp with some minor surface abrasio and traces of foxing, mostly on the mount at one side, but not disturbing the image to any serious extent.

If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.

[Ephemera : Photos : British : 19th Century]

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