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François Balthazar Solvyns, The Costume of Hindostan: Elucidated by Sixty Coloured Engravings; With Descriptions in English and French, Taken in the Years 1798 and 1799. By Balt. Solvyns, of Calcutta, London: Edward Orme, 1804

254 unnumbered pages, 4 hand-coloured soft-ground etchings, and 56 hand-coloured line- or stipple-engraved plates by Scott or Vivares, after François Balthazar Solvyns along with descriptions for each plate in English and French; elegant contemporary long grain red Morocco binding. 5 raised bands on spine, with gilt title and panels. Large gilt arabesques on covers, framed with fillet rolls. Doublures rolled with gilt vine leaves, blue silk endpapers, all gilt edges.
15 x 11 x 1.25 in (38 x 28 x 3.5 cm)

François Balthazar Solvyns's The Costume of Hindostan underwent notable changes between its 1799 and 1807 editions. The 1804 edition, published by Edward Orme in London, was the first European presentation of the work. These engravings were derived from Solvyns’s original 1799 publication in Calcutta, which had 250 plates documenting Indian life and attire.

The 1807 edition, while based on the same core material, likely included refinements and potentially additional contextual content or changes to the original engravings to appeal to European audiences at the time. Some sources note that the 1807 version aimed to present a more polished work with improved artistic quality compared to its predecessor.

LIST OF PLATES
1. Frontis. An Ooria or Orissa Brahmun, offering his devotions to the Sun / 2. A Chittery / 3. A Dybuck [Astrologer/Astronomer] / 4. An Auhheer, or seller of Milk, Curds, Whey and Buttermilk / 5. Rowanny Bearers, or Chairmen / 6. Tauntees, or Weavers / 7. B'Haut / 8. A Dandy, or Boatman / 9. A Jellee-a, or Fisherman / 10. Brijbasi / 11. Kawra, or Hog-Keepers, With Their Method of Taking Pigs to Market / 12. Puckimar, or Bird-Catcher / 13. Sircar / 14. A Jummadar / 15. A Choobdar, or Assahburdar, With a Long Silver Stick, the Badge of His Office / 16. Kherch-Burdar, or House Purveyor / 17. A B'heeshty or Waterman, Carrying Water in His Mushuck or Leathern Bag / 18. Hooka-Burdar, or Hooka Purveyor, Carrying the Hooka / 19. A Durzee, or Taylor / 20. A Baulber. [Barber] / 21. A Hircarrah. [Messenger] / 22. A Peada, or Footman / 23. Native Coachman to an European / 24. A Syce or Groom / 25. An Aubdar, or Cooler of Water and Wines / 26. Corah-Burdar / 27. A Doorea-a, or Dog Keeper / 28. A Bansee / 29. A Man of Distinction in his Family Dress / 30. A Sircar, Dressed in a Courta; and an Eklie Over His Shoulders / 31. Bauluck / 32. A behaleea / 33. A Sepoy. [Native Soldier in Native Dress] / 34. A Sepoy [in European Dress] / 35. A Brigbasi / 36. A Woman of Distinction / 37. A Gwallin, or Milk Woman / 38. A Woman of Inferior Rank / 39. A Hidgra, or Hermaphrodite / 40. A Ramganny, or Dancing Girl / 41. A Polye, or Fisherwoman / 42. Beeshnub, Worshipper of Vishnoo the preserving attribute of the diety / 43. An Oordabahoo [Faquir] / 44. Nariel, or Cocoa Nut Hooka / 45. The Hindoo Method of Eating the Paun / 46. A Sunk, or Chank, and Gunta, or Tingaree / 47. A Timboora / 48. A Sittara, or Guittar / 49. A Sarinda, or Violin / 50. Pennauck or Been / 51. Saringee, played at Nautches & c / 52. A Tubla. [Wooden Drum] / 53. A D'Holuc. [Small Drum] / 54. Jultrung.[China Cups] / 55. D'Hauk. / 56. Nagra. [Musical Instrument] / 57. Kaura. [Musical Instrument] / 58. Pukwauz. [Musical Instrument] / 59. Jugo Jhumpo. [Musical Instrument] / 60. Surmungla. [Instrument]

Belgian marine artist Frans Balthazar Solvyns lived in Calcutta between 1791 and 1803 and is considered one of the earliest printmakers in India, besides Thomas Daniell. During his time in India, he documented 18th-century Indian culture and habitats, including the people, their occupations, festivals, and religious customs. This edition, and that of 1807, are based on Solvyn’s earlier work containing 250 plates, published in Calcutta in 1799, A collection of two hundred and fifty coloured etchings descriptive of the manners, customs, and dresses of the Hindoos. Calcutta, 1796-99, originally published in Calcutta in 1799.

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