2-995-745 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Sale at Calcutta of valuable government presents and Lucknow jewels, 1860. 'The sale of the valuable presents received during the late tour of his Excellency the Right Honourable the Governor-General and Viceroy of India took place on the 27th of August last and ten following days, on the premises of Messrs. Hamilton and Co., jewellers, &c., to the Viceroy...Our Engraving represents the putting up of a Cashmere shawl. The showman on the table is displaying the article to a group of gentlemen, one of whom has felt the texture, and turns round to ask if he shall buy. The men with the brim of their hats at the top, instead of at the bottom, are the descendants of the celebrated Tippo Sahib. On the right hand of the auctioneer is a native clerk, and on his left an old half-caste crier, calling out the bids in English and in Hindoostanee. These three are "Mackenzie, Lyalls," people by whom the sale was conducted for the Messrs. Hamilton. The fat old fellow with the spectacles on, sitting cross-legged on the table, is Hamilton's accountant looking after the deposit of 25 per cent which has to be paid on every lot sold. The other persons are all buyers, including sundry Kings and rulers'. From "Illustrated London News", 1860.