Forbes, India - Mazagon Mango of Bombay with Papilio Bolina or Purple-eyed Butterfly

Forbes, India - Mazagon Mango of Bombay with Papilio Bolina or Purple-eyed Butterfly
This sumptuous, originally hand-colored engraving is from James Forbes's Illustrations to Oriental Memoirs ... with explanatory notices. The work was published in London by Richard Bentley in 1835. The majority of the hand-colored engravings were done by William Hooker. They are rich images of natural flora and fauna of India.

James Forbes was a writer for the East India Company, who first travelled to India in 1765. Forbes lived there for 17 years: “being a good draughtsman and keen observer, [he] had filled 152 folio volumes (52,000 pages) with sketches and notes on the fauna, flora, manners, religions, and archaeology of India.” (DNB) His notes and sketches were “selected and arranged from a series of familiar letters… including observations on parts of Africa and South America” (Prideaux) to create . “The drawings and collections of Mr. Forbes seem almost to exceed the powers of human industry and perseverance” (Allibone I, 611). “My friends in India, ” Forbes recounts, “were happy to enlarge my collections… the Hindoo often brought a bird or insect for delineation; the Brahmin supplied specimens of fruit and flowers from his enclosures.”

The work is in very good to excellent condition. There may be a few minor imperfections to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.
~ 9 1/2" by 12 1/4"