tiger hunting in India

A scarce series of lithographs of the most popular and prestigious pastime of the British Raj. The four lithographs show the stages of a tiger hunt, culminating in the killing and triumphal return of the animal.

Philip Trench, later Chenevix-Trench (1809-1888), was born in Dublin. He served in the Bengal civil service, retiring in 1871. Edmund Walker (1814-1882) made his artistic name in architectural draughts and sketches, with many of his works adorning the country seats of the age as well as a celebrated series of views along the Thames. His skill found him employment in the prestigious Day & Haghe, the royally licensed lithographic company, which made use of his talents most noticeably in their lithographs of the Great Exhibition and William Simpson's sketches of the Crimean War and Indian Mutiny.

First edition; four tinted lithographs printed in series (36 x 51 cm) by Edmund Walker after Philip Charles Trench; touch of worming to margins, causing loss of imprint date to pl.1, preserved in a modern cloth case with gilt morocco lettering piece to upper board, a very nice set.