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Nastufi “The Little Savage” Bourne, Samuel  (British, 1834-1912)Shepherd, Charles  (British)

A phrenological inquiry into the nature the barbarous races. Of the 26 illustrations, 14 are from life and most if not all were taken by the well-known firm of Bourne & Shepherd as well as by Simla and Nicholas and Curths of Madras. They are interesting as they combine the exotic appeal of the primitive Indians with the careful vision of the recording scientist and anthropologist. A particularly effective illustration of how photography could serve the needs of phrenology and physiognomy as applied to racial types [1] and a beautiful and classic example of the Autotype Company’s use of the recently invented collotype ("Permanent illustrations by the Autotype Process” – Rye patent) and the application of improved photo-mechanical technique in scientific applications. [2]

References

[1] Thomas, Ann, Marta Braun, Mimi Cazort, Martin Kemp, John P. MacElhone, and Larry J. Schaaf. Beauty of Another Order. New Haven a. London: Yale University Press, 1997. p 129

[2] Hanson, David A. The David A. Hanson Collection of the History of Photomechanical Printing. The Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute. Catalog 2000

Hanson, David A. Checklist of Photomechanical Processes and Printing, 1825-1910. , 2017. p. 58.

Kavita Philip, Civilizing Natures : Race, Resources, and Modernity in Colonial South India (New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press, c2004).