Francke, A.H.

2 volumes, 4to (300 x 220mm.), 6 folding maps and 45 photographic plates, original cloth

Royal Academy of Arts, library stamp on upper endleaf

Yakushi (1994) F179

A good copy
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The first exploration into "Indian Tibet", published as volumes 38 and 50 of the Archaeological Survey of India, New Imperial Series, 12 years apart, and therefore rare as a set.

Dr. August Hermann Francke (1870 - 1930) was a missionary of the Moravian Church and a distinguished scholar of Tibetan studies. On his return to Germany, he was appointed Professor of Tibetan languages at the University of Berlin.

In 1909, the Director-General of Archaeological Survey of India, Dr J. H. Marshall (later Sir John), had asked Francke, then attached to the Moravian mission in the Ladakh and Lahul area, to enter the service of the Survey for an eighteen-month period and carry out the first scientific exploration into 'Indian Tibet'. Francke's knowledge of both the history and the art of the region made him the ideal expedition leader.The photographer, Babu Pindi Lal of the Archaeological Survey of India was given the adventurous and difficult task of accompanying Dr. Francke on his mission.

Many of Babu Pindi Lal's original photographs for the expedition are held in the Kern Institute, University of Leiden, Holland and the India Office Collections, British Library, London.