LAWSON, Sir Charles (comp.).

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Narrative of the Celebration of the Jubilee of Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, Empress of India, in the Presidency of Madras. Second edition, the publisher's file copy, held by only six libraries worldwide. Victoria reached her golden jubilee a decade after being proclaimed empress, and the milestone was marked with lavish celebrations across India. Lawson, the editor of the Madras Mail, served as the jubilee committee's honorary secretary."The first official jubilee celebrations took place in India in February 1887, brought forward to avoid the heat that would prevail at the time of the actual anniversary of Victoria's reign in June. The Queen's third son, the Duke of Connaught, was present in Mumbai for the event, which saw much of the city centre lit up by illuminations. A public holiday was declared while remnants of the Biblical essence of Jubilees would appear in June as Britain partied. On Jubilee Day itself in India, all debtors who owed 100 rupees or less were set free, while around one third of those in jail were also set free" (Woolerton, p. 27). Several Indian princes were among the honoured guests invited to festivities in London.The first edition was printed in June 1887 in a luxurious royal quarto format and with tipped-in albumen prints. The second edition followed two months later. Copies are held by the British Library, Cambridge University, National Library of Scotland, Trinity College Dublin, Library of Congress, and University of Texas at Austin

Found via Rare Books Intel, a search across rare-book dealers, auction houses and marketplaces worldwide.