Lays of Ind; Comic Poems Illustrative of English Life in India, Aliph Cheem

£90.00

Lays of Ind; Comic Poems Illustrative of English Life in India, Aliph Cheem

Name: Lays of Ind; Comic Poems Illustrative of English Life in India, Aliph Cheem
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4448
Price: 90.00 GBP
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Lays of Ind; Comic, Satirical and Descriptive Poems Illustrative of English Life in India, Aliph Cheem — Ninth Edition

Publication: London, W. Thacker and Co., 1893

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [viii], 237.

Condition Report: Very Good. The publisher's original pictorial cloth binding remains remarkably tight, square, and structurally sound, boasting an exceptionally bright and unoxidised gilt block to the upper board and spine. There is some minor shelf-wear to the extremities, primarily consisting of light bumping and rubbing to the corners and the head and tail of the spine, alongside a faint dulling to the rear board's blind-stamped crest. The all-edges-gilt text block retains a handsome lustre with only superficial scuffing. Internally, the volume is clean, with the hinges holding firm and the pages remaining free from notable foxing or damp-staining, perfectly preserving the crispness of the text and the numerous internal illustrations.

Catalogue Note: This highly attractive ninth edition features the famously ornate publisher's binding, heavily and handsomely decorated in gilt. The upper board boasts a series of intricate, compartmentalised vignettes illustrating scenes of colonial Indian life, ranging from tiger hunting and palanquin transport to idle smoking and administrative duties, making it a splendid example of late-Victorian trade binding.

‘Aliph Cheem’ was the pen name of Major Walter Yeldham (1837–1916), a British cavalry officer who served extensively in India. First appearing as individual verses in colonial newspapers, his poems were later compiled into these exceedingly popular volumes, becoming a staple on the bookshelves of nearly every Anglo-Indian household of the period.

While earlier editions of this work frequently surface with heavy wear and textual damage due to the harsh Indian climate and enthusiastic readership, this later Victorian printing survives in remarkably bright condition. Highly decorated copies in this state of preservation are increasingly scarce on the open market, appealing equally to collectors of 19th-century publishers' bindings and historians of the British Raj.

A vibrant and affectionately satirical window into the daily realities of the British Raj, Lays of Ind captures the eccentricities, social faux pas, and sporting adventures of 19th-century colonial society. Through sharply observed comic verse and charming illustrations, Aliph Cheem immortalises the soldiers, civil servants, and memsahibs who navigated life in a profoundly foreign climate, resulting in an immensely entertaining artefact of imperial history.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Aliph Cheem

Book Publisher: W. Thacker and Co.

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Antiquarian

Genre: Poetry

Book edition:

Signed: No

Book Pages: 237

Book Publication Year: 1893

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.