#MC6
Ca. 1923
Oblong Folio (27,5x37,5 cm). 4 card leaves pp. Eight watercolours mounted on recto and verso of the card album leaves, each ca. 17,5x25 cm (7x10 in). All watercolours captioned in ink on lower margins of the album leaves, signed “CBT” and dated in the lower left or right corners of the drawings. Period style black half sheep with brown cloth boards. Card mounts slightly age toned, otherwise a very good album.
An album of interesting watercolours of South Africa created by Major C.B. Templer of the Indian Army, 19th Regiment of Bengal Lancers (Fane’s Horse). He served in India in 1880-1893 and took part in the second Mirazai Expedition of 1891. During his service with the 19th Lancers Templer participated in the horse races and was the first holder of the Indian Grand National Trophy (Some reminiscences of Indian Sport// The Field, The Country Gentleman's Newspaper, Christmas 1922, p. 5). After the end of his career Templer lived in Execliff (Exmouth), actively travelled around Europe and also visited South Africa.
The watercolours, dated December 1922-March 1923 include two views of Cape Town’s Sea Point area showing the Lion’s Head Mountain, Camps Bay and Twelve Apostles mountain range. Three watercolours taken near George (Western Cape Province) show the George Peak (Outeniqua Mountains), historic Montagu Pass and a pine plantation in the town’s vicinity. There is also a humorous portrait of a rickshaw in Johannesburg with the commentary: “A Conveyance much used by the Dutch in Jo'burg, something after the style of the Indian Jin-Rickoshaw! The men with them wear fantastic costumes!!!” The album additionally contains two later watercolours (dated July 1923) depicting an island commune of Mont Saint Michel in Normandy and a coastal view, apparently also in France. Overall a very good album with unusual views of South Africa.
