A Scottish collector's treasure trove of antique books and photos of India and Afghanistan are going under the hammer at Chiswick Auctions.
The 'unparalleled' collection offers an invaluable insight into the lives of Sikhs and Muslims in the Punjab, Sind and the North West Frontier.
A spokesman for the auction house in Colville Road, off Bollo Lane, said the Glaswegian enthusiast spent the best part of 50 years stocking his fascinating private library, which contains many volumes rarely found on the open market.
Among the most sought-after titles is ‘Cabul Prisoners from Drawings by Vincent Eyre, 1843’ (lot 89), a collection of lithographs of Europeans captured during the Afghan Campaigns.
Other volumes include the Lahore Political Diaries (lot 62), which lift the lid on life in the Sikh Court during the reign of Maharajah Duleep Singh.
As well as bound 19th century books and photos, there are various military and travel maps, including a Theatre of War Map of the Punjab relating to the Sikh Wars.
There are more than 300 lots up for grabs, with estimated price tags ranging from £40 to £1,500.
A spokesman for Chiswick Auctions described the collection, which is up for sale on October 22, as 'unique and unparalleled'.
