The Autobiography of an Unknown Indian (1951)

Chaudhuri, Nirad C

Description:

The author, the "unknown Indian" of the title, uses autobiography to present national history rather than personal history. His long experience allows him to provide authentic details which reveal the strength and weakness of Indo-British political powere and culture and, as the blurb has it, "serve to make their joint decline intelligible . . . one of the most impressive books ever addressed from India to the English-speaking world".

Although carrying the Macmillan of London imprint, this copy is stamped "Macmillan's Overseas Library. This Library must not be circulated in the British Isles, the United States of America or Canada".

Despite the red-on-straw dustjacket being chipped at the front corners and at the head and foot of the spine and the front panel and spine being rubbed over small areas, it remains clean and attractive. The rest of the book - plum cloth boards, gilt on black panel to the spine, plain ends, xii + 516 pp of text - is unmarked, undiscoloured and near-fine.

An excellent copy of a valuable book for the student of Anglo-Indian relations during the first half of the 20th century.

 

Details:

  • Publisher: Macmillan
  • Publisher Place: London
  • Date of Publication: 1951
  • Edition: First
  • Jacket Condition: Good
  • Binding Condition: Very Good
  • Overall Condition: Very Good
  • Size: 223 x 156
  • Lot No: 207
  • Hammer Price: $40
  • Bids: 1
  • Visits: 10
  • Estimate: $75
  • Reserve: $40

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Seller Details:

  • Name: Fontein Books
  • Address: 27 Voortrekker Street, Philippolis 9970
  • Contact Person: Richard Proctor-Sims
  • Country of Origin: South Africa
  • Email: fontein@wol.co.za
  • Website:
  • Preferred Payment Methods: Internet bank transfer or Visa or Mastercard
  • Trade Association: AA Approved
  • Additional Information: Fontein Books has for several years participated in Antiquarian Auctions and its predecessor. It specialises in historical and contemporary books on the Free State and Northern Karoo, and is also an active buyer and seller on commission in these and other fields. Fontein's owner, Richard Proctor-Sims, was an editor, writer and small publisher until 2005, when he moved from Johannesburg to Philippolis, the first settlement (1822) north of the Gariep or Orange River, where he opened his first physical bookshop (to which buyers and sellers are welcome), with reasonable holdings in Africana, both Anglo-Boer wars, biography, history, military history, natural history and travel. He regularly visits Bloemfontein, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town and offers to deliver heavy or valuable books or sets to these cities on such visits. Richard Proctor-Sims retains the copyright of Fontein's Antiquarian Auction descriptions and these may not be reproduced without permission and acknowledgment.