[Rarebooks] FS - History of India

[GREENFIELD BOOKS]

HANDYSIDE, Mrs. L. /THE HISTORY OF INDIA/. Bound in green cloth, with 
paper spine label, and stamped in blind. 1881. 12mo, pp. 170. This is 
the ninth edition, of 3,000 copies, published in English, in Madras, 
India, by The Christian Vernacular Education Society (which was formed 
in 1858 to proselytize, in their own tongue, the Christian religion to 
the natives of India)

In format, this little book appears to be a condensed history of the 
sub-continent, perhaps intended for use in missionary schools. Several 
chapters have been abridged by the editors (presumably from earlier 
editions), and they have added an eleventh chapter, "Government of India 
by the British", which dwells on the many advantages which the English 
example has brought to the natives of India. The last (twelfth) chapter 
is entitled: "Progress of Christianity in India". Little is known of the 
author, who was probably an early theosophist, and follower of Madame 
Blavatsky and Annie Besant (whose connection with India is well-known). 
There is a reference elsewhere to Mrs. Handyside having been a member of 
the Theosophist Society of Edinburgh in the first decade of the 
twentieth century. With the exception of the last two chapters, a 
cursory review of the contents suggests that it is a fairly 
straight-forward historical summary (from the British Raj point of 
view). Quite a scarce title. OCLC lists only two copies (both are later 
editions), although a search of the holdings of the British Library 
indicates they have five different copies, including an 1865 4th 
edition. Our copy is a bit pulled at the bottom of the spine. The boards 
are bumped at the corners, and the spine label is a bit rubbed. There is 
an early ink signature on the front free endpaper ("E. M. Eriksson 
19-7-82"). The contents are clean and tight, save for a little foxing. 
Overall, in very good condition.

Price:  $100.00.

TERMS OF SALE: The price is net in US funds. Payment by check or credit 
card. Postage and packing charge is $7 in North America; $15 overseas by 
air mail. Returnable within seven days of receipt if not as described.

 
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