D'Oyly (Charles) Behar Amateur Lithographic Scrapbook, lithographed throughout with decorative title and 28 plates, all on india paper and mounted on 27 thick paper leaves, some worming to plates (mostly one or two holes but occasionally more severe), heavier worming and foxing to mounts, later half morocco, original blue paper upper wrapper with lithographed decorative label bound in (soiled and stained, frayed at edges), rubbed, [Abbey, Travel 449], oblong folio, [Patna], Behar Lithographic Press, [1828]; sold not subject to return

⁂ Scarce and early lithographic views of India, one of several similar scrapbooks produced by Sir Charles D'Oyly at his amateur press in Patna during the late 1820s. D'Oyly was a civil servant in the East India Company who served as Opium Agent in Bihar and Commercial Resident in Patna between 1821 and 1831. He was also a skilled amateur artist and produced several works depicting views, life, sports, and the natural history of India but these privately-printed scrapbooks are some of his rarest works. He was greatly influenced by his friend the artist George Chinnery and a few of the plates here are after drawings by Chinnery. The plates show temples, river & village scenes, dancing girls, the 'Shunscrit College at Benares', and 'National Burmese Game' of keeping a wicker ball in the air using only the feet.