Oblong Quarto (ca. 20 x 26.5 cm or 7 ¾ x 10 in). 17 card stock leaves. 34 gelatin silver photographs mounted in windows ca. 16 x 11.5 cm (6 ¼ x 4 ½ in). Three photographs with pencil captions. Period straight grain Morocco with cloth boards, expertly re-backed; gilt-tooled ornamental borders on both boards and spine, gilt-lettered title “Cawnpore” on front board; all edges gilt. Mounts with minor losses or tears not affecting images, slightly age-toned; a few photos mildly faded or with minor silver mirroring, but overall a very good album of interesting photos.

Historically interesting collection of early original photographs of Christian missionary schools (buildings, teachers and students), hospitals, and the Christ Church in Cawnpore (modern-day Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India) during the early 20th century. Although uncaptioned, the photos most likely illustrate the activities of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts (SPG) in Cawnpore. These activities included running the Christ Church, Christ Church College, a high school, an Anglo-vernacular school, a school for Hindu girls, a seminary, a trade school, orphanages, and hospitals. Five photos show the Christ Church (built in 1840, severely damaged during the Indian Mutiny and restored) with three views of the exterior and two views of the interior and altar. It was handed over to the SPG in 1862 and is now part of the Diocese of Agra of the Church of North India. Several other photos show buildings, likely part of the Christ Church College campus, and portraits of staff and teachers, including those of Indian descent. Christ Church College opened in 1892, and began offering BA, LLB, and MA programs in 1896, 1898, and 1900 respectively. It is currently one of the oldest universities in Kanpur.

One photo shows the Women’s Mission Association (WMA) Hospital, also run by the SPG, and four photos are of the Prince of Wales Hospital, likely part of the SPG’s activities as well. The Prince of Wales Hospital is possibly the current site of Ursula Horsman Memorial Hospital in Kanpur.

Other photos include three views of the Cawnpore Massacre (1857) Memorial; environs in Cawnpore (a ghat, a small chhatri/dome-shaped open pavilion, etc.); and likely other activities conducted by the SPG such as the orphanage and girls’ school, with group portraits of Indian children.

Overall, an interesting collection of historical and well-preserved photographs of Christian missionary activity in Cawnpore, featuring Christ Church College, in the early 20th century.

For more on the SPG see also:
Report of the Year 1900 of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. London: Spottiswoode & Co., 1901. (link).
Pascoe, C.F., Two Hundred Years of the S.P.G.: A Historical Account of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, 1701-1900. Vol 2. London, 1901. (link).