Delhi Durbar 1903 (1 Viewer)

[Andanna]

Dave, I wonder that myself.

I like the Delhi Durbar because of its colors, its importance for colonial history and its peacefulness.

On the subject of available books, I did now have an opportunity to take photos of selected pages of the book

"CORONATION DURBAR ILLUSTRATED, Delhi 1903", ​

without utterly destroying the book which shows its mileage as much as I do, and post them in an album for your viewing pleasure.

Maybe Dave's tireless efforts coupled with an attractive photo of the parade will result in even more Durbar fans!

On the side: WB becoming involved in the Delhi Durbar (again) is an indication that interest is still very strong. Ken and Richard in my opinion are certainly very courageous entrepreneurially (Jane Austen Collection? - not an obvious choice), but not financially suicidal.

PS: Title of the picture is misleading. This is a gathering of the individuals who were responsible for more than 1,000 posts at an Indian restaurant in New Jersey.

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Damian,

I am not sure how to answer the question of how much the Durbar is appreciated world wide. I know that there are folks who a very heavily into the display and some like me are into the books as well. I will say that I have both of the books you mentioned only my copy of with the British in Zululand is a fairly recent reprinting and as such did not cost me anything close to the price you mentioned. But back to the issue of the Menpes book I have seen a few of them sold on ebay in recent years and they all went for at least the price you mentioned but I have also seen them go for well in excess of 400 dollars which tells me there are some book collectors out there that covet the book, but I am not sure how many of them are cross over collectors.

There are a few books such as the oversized photo album called the Coronation Durbar Illustrated that Andana has mentioned that go for a lordly sum when they are complete. The photos are very well done and are in some cases the only ones I know of in print. I do know there are many more photos waiting in some of the vast collections in the UK to be discovered and put in print but until that happens collectors will pay very dearly to get this book. There are also copies of this book done for the 1877 Durbar for Queen Victoria and for the 1911 Durbar for King George and Queen Mary and they are very rare and in the case of the 1877 book come with a 3-5 Thousand Dollar price tag. So when you compare these I guess the Menpes book is a down right bargin.

The question of which era is tops for collectors is easy enough to answer and I agree that the Zulu War is far more popular. But for me the Jewel in the Crown will always be the Durbar and the Raj in general. I do think that Britains relooking the Durbar is a great thing and with the newer style I think it will appeal to a lot of folks who collect Victorian era troops. Afterall who dosent love a parade with camels and elephants!

All the best

Dave

 

[damian]

Hi Damian,

I am not sure how to answer the question of how much the Durbar is appreciated world wide. I know that there are folks who a very heavily into the display and some like me are into the books as well. I will say that I have both of the books you mentioned only my copy of with the British in Zululand is a fairly recent reprinting and as such did not cost me anything close to the price you mentioned. But back to the issue of the Menpes book I have seen a few of them sold on ebay in recent years and they all went for at least the price you mentioned but I have also seen them go for well in excess of 400 dollars which tells me there are some book collectors out there that covet the book, but I am not sure how many of them are cross over collectors.

There are a few books such as the oversized photo album called the Coronation Durbar Illustrated that Andana has mentioned that go for a lordly sum when they are complete. The photos are very well done and are in some cases the only ones I know of in print. I do know there are many more photos waiting in some of the vast collections in the UK to be discovered and put in print but until that happens collectors will pay very dearly to get this book. There are also copies of this book done for the 1877 Durbar for Queen Victoria and for the 1911 Durbar for King George and Queen Mary and they are very rare and in the case of the 1877 book come with a 3-5 Thousand Dollar price tag. So when you compare these I guess the Menpes book is a down right bargin.

The question of which era is tops for collectors is easy enough to answer and I agree that the Zulu War is far more popular. But for me the Jewel in the Crown will always be the Durbar and the Raj in general. I do think that Britains relooking the Durbar is a great thing and with the newer style I think it will appeal to a lot of folks who collect Victorian era troops. Afterall who dosent love a parade with camels and elephants!

All the best

Dave

Dave
Great answer.
I really enjoyed the previous WB Delhi Durbar line. I am glad they are revisiting this line. For me the major problem with Beau Geste and Marlborough is just getting hold of the stuff out here. You know shipping and customs etc. So I am really excited about the WB return to the Durbar. So a big thanks to all you Durbar fans for posting your pictures and bibliographies.

 

[collectmini]

Dear Dave:

Could you be so kind and send me your Powerpoint presentation with the Durbar photos.

Thanks in Advance

rui.oliveira@lagossports.com

 

[Andanna]

The new Silver horns courtship has arrived from Indore:

 

[wadepat]

The new Silver horns courtship has arrived from Indore:

Hi Andanna,

What a beautiful set! As you know, I am a huge fan of the Beau Geste Durbar figures. Your new set from Indore is nothing short of a knock out! Thanks for sharing it with us!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[PolarBear]

The new Silver horns courtship has arrived from Indore:

Andreas

A great set and photo. What is the backdrop photo?

Randy

 

[Andanna]

Thank you for your kind words, Randy and Dave.

The backdrop was developed from photos of the elephant stables in Hampi. They are ancient and certainly were not used in 1903 - but I think for the photo it works well enough.

The real knock-out are the figures from BG. And I think I will do another photo of different figures from the same set later.

I am not happy with the base, but I guess after the "Wild Grass" from Ken & Ericka nothing will satisfy. But I think next time I will just use some sand/gravel.

 

[Andanna]

Better ground cover. Please also notice how close Ana and her team stayed to the original. I call this individual "The Gentleman".

 

[PolarBear]

Better ground cover. Please also notice how close Ana and her team stayed to the original. I call this individual "The Gentleman".

That ground cover is perfect. No doubts that Ana and her team do outstanding work.

 

[The Lt.]

Andreas seems you've added the magic touch to your photos and have to agree Ana's done an outstanding job with the figure as well as the others in the series. Looking forward to what both you and Ana have in store for us next....The Lt.

 

[Andanna]

Time to update the collection: The elephant guards of Patalia in front of the Post Office discussing the increase of postage for letters to Argentina:

 

[PolarBear]

Time to update the collection: The elephant guards of Patalia in front of the Post Office discussing the increase of postage for letters to Argentina:

Very nice! Did you pick this up at the show?

Randy

 

[Andanna]

Unfortunately, there were no Beau Geste figures at the show. I think Ana needs to do something about this!!

I pre-ordered the guards to go with my new elephant - it is a very impressive combination.

 

[Andanna]

Update on my display. Subject: Red Ford, Delhi. Dedicated to DMNamiot:

 

[thebritfarmer]

Beautiful figures and they go really well with the backdrop provided by Ana.

 

[Andanna]

Beautiful figures and they go really well with the backdrop provided by Ana.

Thank you for the praise. I am trying to convince certain people to make the Red Ford in 3D. Hope this helps. Colors are off, but that was not the point.

 

[PolarBear]

Andreas

Where did you get the panoramic backdrop of the Red Fort? How wide is it?

Randy

 

[REVWARBUFF]

That is one fantastic display, Andreas!!! Beautiful!!

 

[Andanna]

Andreas

Where did you get the panoramic backdrop of the Red Fort? How wide is it?

Randy

Randy, Ana designed the banner for her exhibitions/show tables several years ago. Please check the earlier contributions in this thread, starting at #15. Sorry you missed that.

Ana has generously shared her background with us and I am certain she will not object to me sending you the file by e-mail if you want it - it is rather small.

She actually combined various pictures using Photoshop and hence the picture quality depends on which part of the banner you are looking at. I personally like it at lot, and the different picture qualities within the banner do not bother me at all.

Until several months ago, I used a smaller banner. The new one is 50 inches long and 15.5 inches high. This reflects the original ratio of width/height of the file.

My colllection, like Dave N's, is displayed on a ledge and the Red Ford works very well.

I am not certain that in the next step (not unrealistically assuming the collection will grow some more ), I need to extend the background (again). Not sure I will use the banner for the additional width, I think some older houses from Delhi to the left and right of the banner might also work ... Something like the JG Miniatures houses.