Large Folio album (ca. 36,8x29 cm). 29 card stock leaves (15 blank). With 27 original gelatin silver photographs (including 2 loose) with larger ones ca. 27,8x20,2 cm (11x8 in), smaller ones ca. 7,8x10,1 cm (3x4 in), and the rest of the photos ca. 14,4x20,4 cm (5 ¾ x 8 in). 15 photos with period English ink captions on the mounts, with all but one dated. With ca. 24 printed postcards from ca. 16,4x21,4 cm (6 ½ x 8 ½ in) to ca. 14,9x8,6 (6 ¾ x 3 ½ in); and one loosely inserted hand drawing of various British ships ca. 35,4x25,1 cm (10x14 in). Period half leather album with raised bands and gilt-tooled generic title “Photographs” on the front board; gilt edges. Binding worn, one page detached, photos slightly age-toned, but otherwise a very good album with strong, interesting photos.

Historically significant collection of large-size photographs, mostly documenting the service and daily life of the British Indian Army in Abbottabad (present-day Pakistan) in the early 1900s.

Abbottabad, founded in 1853 by Major James Abbott, was a key British military town in the North-West Frontier Province. Its position in the Hazara region made it strategically important, allowing control over routes to the Khyber Pass and the nearby tribal territories. The town served both as a garrison and a hill station, where British and Indian troops trained and spent periods of recreation. By the early 20th century, it had become the headquarters of a brigade in the Second Division of the Northern Army Corps, with four battalions of native infantry and two native mountain batteries stationed there.

The album primarily documents the service of the 25th Mountain Battery at Abbottabad between 1903 and 1906. The battery was the oldest Indian mountain artillery unit and had earlier taken part in the Second Sikh War, including the Siege of Multan. At the time the album was compiled, the battery was commanded by Captain L. L. Hepper, with Lieutenants Gn. Hill and S. Perry serving as subalterns (all three depicted in the photos).

The collection features twenty-seven excellent professional photographs, taken by a British military photographer stationed in Abbottabad. Four well-executed general views of Abbottabad show the town from the Brigade Circular and the surrounding ridge of Sar Ban, which served as a site for frontier exercises and artillery drills.

About eight interesting group photographs depict soldiers from the 25th Mountain Battery during their service and leisure. Interesting lively scenes include the regiment in central artillery lines on horseback, performing a “salvo,” posing with a ball and hockey sticks, playing tug of war, and posing for regimental portraits. One heavily annotated official group photo shows members of the 25th Battery alongside soldiers from the 22nd and 27th Batteries, also stationed in Abbottabad. Identified officers include Captain L. L. Hepper, Lieutenant Gn. Hill, Lieutenant S. Perry, and Lieutenant S. Carwithen.

The album also features four early close-up images of British colonial architecture. The photos depict the Royal Army Mess, St. Luke’s Church, an officers’ house built by the 25th Battery, and the Abbottabad Club, with officers relaxing on the terrace and Indian soldiers walking a British child.

The rest of the collection includes officers of Royal Army at a practice camp in Mansehra (present-day Pakistan), the compiler’s family photos (likely), and a hand-drawn illustration of various British cruisers and RIMs.

There are also about 24 early printed postcards mostly showing Delhi (Jama Masjid, Red Fort, Qutb Minar, Taj Mahal) and Akbar (Agra Fort, Itmad-ud-Daula, Tomb of Akbar, Buland Darwaza, Panch Mahal).

Overall, historically significant collection of large-size photographs, documenting the service and daily life of the British Indian Army officers in Abbottabad.