Anping
Departed
Rest in Peace
Posts: 533 
What I collect: Hong Kong, Aden & States & odd stuff I like.
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Post by Anping on Aug 13, 2017 10:44:01 GMT
This post moved to its own thread.
The following is a real photograph by J.M. Coutinho, who among other local studio photographers produced postcards of the colony. Dating these can be very difficult as some images tended to be used over decades. Consequently, the rather strange use of a postage stamp dated 1932, may be misleading. This photo (and others I have) was printed on very thin gloss photographic paper, which is rather fragile. It has a similar feel to albumen prints. The most prominent landmark is Hogg Tower on the hill in the background, which could be seen readily by approaching shipping. This was known locally just as Clock Tower. As can be seen by the white imprint, the location is Post Office Bay, which indicates the photo was produced from an original negative intended for postcard printing. So far I have not been able to locate a Coutinho postcard that corresponds with this actual view, although I'm sure I have one somewhere. Instead I have shown another later view of Post Office Bay. This one is not attributed to any photographer but just states that it is copyright of Star Pharmacy Aden. This later view now refers to the location as Steamer Point and shows some development in the bay. As can be seen, a motor car is in view rather than the horse and carriage in the photo. The postage stamp attached to the photo is an Indian 12 annas definitive. Indian stamp issues were of course used in the colony until Aden issued its own stamps in 1937, with the Dhows set.
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Anping
Departed
Rest in Peace
Posts: 533
What I collect: Hong Kong, Aden & States & odd stuff I like.
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Post by Anping on Aug 13, 2017 22:18:00 GMT
Another Coutinho photograph that illustrates the difficulties of water supply in the early days. The water was probably obtained from Crater where the man made reservoirs were located. These were known locally as the 'tanks'.  Here's the same view on a local postcard. This was not attributed to Coutinho but was retailed by Cowassjee Dinshaw & Brothers:  |
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Ryan
Member 
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 2,720
What I collect: If I have a catalogue for it, I collect it. And I have many catalogues ....
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Post by Ryan on Aug 14, 2017 6:55:37 GMT
Another Coutinho photograph that illustrates the difficulties of water supply in the early days. You mentioned the "rather strange use" of cancelled stamps on these photo cards - it's especially odd on your water cart card considering the face value of the stamp. 1 rupee! According to this historical currency exchange valuation site, 1 rupee was worth around 30 US cents at the time, and that is roughly equivalent to US $5 nowadays. That's a pretty expensive stamp to put on the card. Ryan |
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Anping
Departed
Rest in Peace
Posts: 533
What I collect: Hong Kong, Aden & States & odd stuff I like.
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Post by Anping on Aug 16, 2017 22:36:52 GMT
This Coutinho photo shows the cisterns of Tawila in Aden. Also known as the Tawlia Tanks or just 'the tanks', it is the best-known historic site in Aden (how exciting). It consists of a series of man made reservoirs of varying shape and capacity. They are connected to one another and located in Wadi Tawila to the southwest of Aden’s oldest district, Crater. The photographer has used the best viewpoint that illustrates the volcanic nature of the landscape. This is actually the crater from which the 'capital' took its name. This enlargement of the circular tank shows that motorised transport was in use at the time (camels too) and would presumably date this photo to 1920/1930's. This is the closest image I could find on a post card. This one was retailed by Pallonjee Dinshaw & Bros but was taken earlier. The ornate brick walling shown above has replaced the metal hoop like barriers here and only a horse drawn carriage and a camel train are in evidence: |
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Anping
Departed
Rest in Peace
Posts: 533
What I collect: Hong Kong, Aden & States & odd stuff I like.
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Post by Anping on Oct 9, 2017 15:37:19 GMT
The following photograph shows the Recreation Ground in The Crescent at Steamer Point, Aden. The British term Steamer Point was a colloquialism which was adopted into Aden's postal system. This was used on earlier postmarks of the colony. In the centre of the gardens can be seen a statue of Queen Victoria sitting surrounded by a rare instance of severe rain. |
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Poodle_Mum
Member
Inactive
Posts: 252 
What I collect: WW to 1950; All German Eras; Imperial Russia & USSR; All Occupations and Colonies of Germany and Russia; Canada; QV and Belgian Railways
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Post by Poodle_Mum on Oct 9, 2017 21:57:07 GMT
Absolutely beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
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Anping
Departed
Rest in Peace
Posts: 533
What I collect: Hong Kong, Aden & States & odd stuff I like.
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Post by Anping on Oct 11, 2017 9:41:11 GMT
Another Coutinho photograph; again one which was used for postcard production. As can be seen, this shows a minaret connected to a mosque but I am unsure of its exact location. I am trying to obtain the same image in postcard format: I have now discovered that the above image was in fact used on one of the colony's GVI stamps; the 2 annas. An inscription on the stamp states this is the Aidrus Mosque, yet all other references to this refer to it as the Idrus Mosque. I suspect the former is either an error, or it is a variation of phonetic interpretation. I suspect now that the mosque is located in Crater: |
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Ryan
Member
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 2,720
What I collect: If I have a catalogue for it, I collect it. And I have many catalogues ....
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Post by Ryan on Oct 11, 2017 10:26:52 GMT
this shows a minaret connected to a mosque but I am unsure of its exact location. This certainly looks like the Al-Aidrus mosque, which has been featured on stamps both colonial and independent - stamp images nabbed from jkjblue and his excellent blog as well as Colnect. The photo is from the Aden chapter on Bret Wallach's site, The Great Mirror.    Ryan |
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Anping
Departed
Rest in Peace
Posts: 533
What I collect: Hong Kong, Aden & States & odd stuff I like.
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Post by Anping on Oct 11, 2017 10:39:45 GMT
Well, that's a coincidence. Just as I was editing my post, you found the same reference. I note there is yet another spelling variation of 'Idrus'.
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