William Arbuthnot Inglis (1853-1936), The canals and flood banks of Bengal. 1908-1909

[INGLIS, William Arbuthnot (1853-1936)] The canals and flood banks of Bengal [thus titled to spine]. Calcutta: Survey of India Offices, 1908-1909.

Very rare collection of important maps outlining plans to canalise parts of Bengal, irrigate agricultural land, and improve shipping routes. The maps were produced in the Survey of India Offices in Calutta, and some are signed by the local lithographers. Inglis' name is not mentioned on any of the maps, but the spine is titled as per his work on the subject published in 1909, and these are probably the maps that accompanied his text.

Quarto (405 x 350mm). 11 folding lithographic maps mounted on guards, some printed in colours, the largest joined on 2 sheets and extending to 710 x 1440mm unfolded (first 3 maps with shorts splits or holes along creasefolds but with only very minor insignificant loss, last 2 maps with very short marginal tears one into image but without loss, maps III and IV spotted, occasional light scattered spotting to some others, all slightly cockled from adhesion onto guards at gutter). Contemporary half calf (spine very defective with the spine label just remaining).

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The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.

The condition of the lot is as stated in the printed and online catalogue with the following additional notes on each map:

I: 727 x 842mm. 'Outline Map of a part of Orissa showing canals and embankments'. 4 miles to 1 inch (1:253,440). Folding lithographic map printed in colours, signed 'M B 16.02.09'. Small holes at creasefold joins in sea area, one short marginal split along one creasefold, small hole in area of key with tiny loss, area near gutter cockled, faint spots to upper area mainly confined to verso.

II: 612 x 498mm. 'Map showing canals, embankments, sluices, drainages & bungalows between the right bank of Damodar River to the north and east, Kaliaghai River to the south, and trunk road to the west'. 4 miles to 1 inch (1:253,440). Folding lithographic map, embankments printed in green, canals in blue, signed 'M Bokhsh 13.10.08'. Imprint 'Dir., S.I.O., Calcutta'. Tear along lower creasefold just into image with slight loss, area near gutter cockled.

III: 485 x 965mm. 'E.I.I & C. Co. Sketch Map shewing the limits of the Sone Project as designed by Col. Dickens and those proposed by the East India Irrigation & Canal Company'. 8 miles to 1 inch (1:506,880). Folding lithographic map, watercourses printed in blue, E.I.I & C. proposals in red, Col. Dickens' proposal in black, signed 'A K M 10.07.08'. 'Zincographed y the Vandyke Process at the Survey of India Offices, Calcutta'. Plate number on pasted overslip. Split along one creasefold but without loss, the whole lightly spotted.

IV: 510 x 685mm. 'Index Map of the Sone Canals'. 5 miles to 1 ³⁄₁₆ in (1:266,746). Folding lithographic map. Lightly spotted.

V: 705 x 590mm. 'Map showing canals, embankments, sluices, drainages & bungalows between the Adjai River to the north, Bhagirathi River to the east, Hoogly River to the south, and Damudar River to the west'. 4 miles to 1 inch (1:253,440). Folding lithographic map, embankments printed in green, canals in blue, proposed canals in red, imprint 'Dir., S.I.O., Calcutta'. Faint insignificant spotting.

VI: 790 x 710mm. 'Map showing the rivers, sluices, & embankments in the Nadia Rivers Division'. 4 miles to 1 inch (1:253,440). Folding lithographic map, embankments printed in green, present state of Ganges in red, signed 'J. Ahmed 31.10.08' imprint 'Dir., S.I.O., Calcutta'
VII: 710 x 1440mm. 'Index Map showing embankments & canals &c in the Gandak Circle'. 4 miles to 1 inch (1:253,440). Folding lithographic map on 2 joined sheets, embankments printed in green, canals in blue, signed 'Babu A.K. Mozumdar, M.A. Sobhan & J. Ahmed'. Faint spotting, otherwise in very good condition.

VIII: 840 x 718mm. 'Orissa Coast Canal and Hidgellee Tidal Canal Index Map.' 4 miles to 1 inch (1:253,440). Folding lithographic map. Very clean.

IX: 508 x 410mm. 'Map showing drainage channels, embankments & sluices in the twenty four parganas south of Calcutta'. 4 miles to 1 inch (1:253,440). Folding lithographic map, embankments printed in green, Takavi embankments in red, canals in blue, imprint 'Dir., S.I.O., Calcutta'. Short marginal tear.

X: 620 x 756mm. 'Map showing the boat & steamer routes between the Ganges on the north & east, Hoogly on the west and Bay of Bengal on the south.' 8 miles to 1 inch (1:506,880). Folding lithographic map, steamer routes in blue, canals under construction in red, imprint 'Dir., S.I.O., Calcutta'. Short marginal tear, a few faint creases and faint stains.

XI: 561 x 758mm. 'Map showing principal places & streams referred to in the project for the improvemant of the E. Canal Boat Route and the reclamation of the salt water lakes'. 2 miles to 1 inch (1:126,720). Folding lithographic map. Faint staining along one creasefold, one tiny marginal tear, just into image without loss.

Print Report