Captain Linnaeus Tripe (English, 1822-1902)
"No. 42. Amerapoora. Mygabhoodee-tee Kyoung from E.", 1855
Coated salt print from a waxed paper negative
Printed label with plate number, title and inscription on mount.
According to the British Library website:
A kyaung (monastery) near the building where the British delegation was housed at Amarapura in Burma (Myanmar). In 1855 an officer from the Madras Infantry, Linneaus Tripe, was attached as official photographer to the diplomatic mission sent from India to the Burmese capital of Amarapura. The mission's goal was two-fold: to negotiate with King Mindon Min his acceptance of British rule over Pegu, and to gather information about the country in every detail. During the journey up the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) from Rangoon (Yangon) to Amarapura, Tripe produced a portfolio of 120 large views of scenery and architecture which are amongst the earliest – and finest - surviving images of this then little-known kingdom. A few years after they were taken, the royal capital was transferred 11 km upriver to Mandalay. Tripe wrote of this view, 'This small monastery, near the Residency, attracted much attention from the richness of its carving and the beauty of its situation'.
Captain Linnaeus Tripe (English, 1822-1902)
"No. 60. Amerapoora. Gateway of Maja Bounghian Kyoung.", 1855
Albumenized salt print from a waxed paper negative
28.6 x 34.8 cm mounted on 45.6 x 58.3 cm paper
Printed label with plate number, title and "A solidly built wall usually surrounds Kyoungs; in the centre of each side of which is a gateway similar to the above." on mount
According to the British Library website:
The gateway of a kyaung (monastery) at Amarapura in Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints. He wrote of this view, 'A solidly built wall usually surrounds kyoungs [Burmese monasteries]; in the centre of each side of which is a gateway similar to the above'. Tripe, an officer from the Madras Infantry, was the official photographer attached to a British diplomatic mission to King Mindon Min of Burma in 1855. This followed the British annexation of Pegu after the Second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852. Aside from official duties, the mission was instructed to gather information regarding the country and its people. Tripe's architectural and topographical views are of great documentary importance as they are among the earliest surviving photographs of Burma. Amarapura, on the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) river, was twice the capital of the Burmese kings of the Konbaung dynasty: from 1782 (the year of its foundation by King Bodawpaya) to 1823 and again from 1837 to 1860, after which Mandalay, 11 km to the north, became capital. Amarapura was the site of the first British Embassy to Burma in 1795, and played host again to Tripe's Mission.
Captain Linnaeus Tripe (English, 1822-1902)
The Great Pagoda, Munduppum, Madura, India, January-March 1858
Albumenized salt print from a waxed paper negative
36.6 x 30.6 cm
Captain Linnaeus Tripe (English, 1822-1902)
The Hill Fort at Trimium, Poodoocottah, India, February-March 1858
Albumenized salt print from a waxed paper negative
24.4 x 38.1 cm mounted on 45.0 x 57.0 cm paper
Artist's monogram blindstamp on mount, and printed "7" tag adhered to mount
Captain Linnaeus Tripe (English, 1822-1902)
Devonport, Richmond Walk, England, 1852-1854
Albumenized salt print from a waxed paper negative
23.9 x 33.4 cm mounted flush on card
Signed "L. Tripe" in ink
Captain Linnaeus Tripe (English, 1822-1902)
Tsagain Myo, Ruined Tazoung, Burma, 1855
Albumenized salt print from a waxed paper negative
26.6 x 34.6 cm
Captain Linnaeus Tripe (English, 1822-1902)
"Mengoon, Pagoda from NW." Burma, 1855
Albumenized salt print from a waxed paper negative
25.1 x 34.1 cm
In 1855 a British mission was sent to King Mindon Min of Burma to negotiate a settlement regarding Pegu, annexed by the British following the Second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852. Linnaeus Tripe was the official photographer on this mission, his pioneering architectural and topographical views of the country are an important photographic record. Mingun, 11kms from Mandalay on the opposite bank of the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady), is best known for its immense and incomplete pagoda begun by King Bodawpaya (ruled 1782-1819) who founded Amarapura. He intended it to be the largest Buddhist monument rising to a height of 150 ms but died in 1819 before it could be finished. This photograph gives a general view of the massive, cracked and ruined pagoda (purportedly the largest mass of brickwork in the world). An entry shrine marks each side of its square base and the edifice shows the massive fissures caused by the 1838 earthquake. Tripe wrote, 'Begun but never completed by King Mendaraggee [Bodawpaya] about the end of last century. It is about 120 feet high, and according to a miniature model of its design to be seen below on the river bank, it would have been, finished, about 480 feet high' - British Library website
Captain Linnaeus Tripe (English, 1822-1902)
Gate of the Hill Fort, Ryakotta, India, 1858
Albumenized salt print from a waxed paper negative
35.6 x 27.8 cm
Captain Linnaeus Tripe (English, 1822-1902)
"No. 37. Ava. Tower of the Palace." Burma, 1855
Albumenized salt print from a waxed paper negative
33.7 x 26.6 cm mounted on 58.4 x 45.7 cm paper
Signed "L. Tripe" in ink. Photographer's blindstamp and printed label with plate number, title and "This is the only co-herent remains of the palace. The earthquake of 1839 covered the ground with the rest of it and tilted this considerably." on mount
A watchtower at Ava (Inwa) in Burma (Myanmar), from a portfolio of 120 prints. Tripe, an officer from the Madras Infantry, was the official photographer attached to a British diplomatic mission to King Mindon Min of Burma in 1855. This followed the British annexation of Pegu after the Second Anglo-Burmese War in 1852. Aside from official duties, the mission was instructed to gather information regarding the country and its people. Tripe's architectural and topographical views are of great documentary importance as they are among the earliest surviving photographs of Burma. Tripe described this view of the Nanmyin, a square brick and stucco watchtower, tilting and surrounded by fallen masonry, 'This is the only coherent remains of the palace. The earthquake of 1839 covered the ground with the rest of it and tilted this considerably'. Ava, located south-west of Amarapura at the confluence of the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) and the Myitnge rivers, was founded in about 1365 as the third capital of the Shan rulers previously established at Pinya and Sagaing. For the most part of the next five centuries it remained the royal city until finally abandoned as capital in favour of Amarapura. Much of Ava including the 19th century palace of King Bagyidaw at its centre was destroyed in a disastrous earthquake in 1838. The Nanmyin is all that remains of the palace although the upper part of this 30 m high masonry tower was destroyed. The lower part leans to one side, earning it the nickname of 'the leaning tower of Ava' - British Library website