Militaire

British Army in India a supplies scandal Eight highly-finished capable caricatures by 'C' involving a Raj army supplies scandal 'Bilk' 'Jemadar Amwalla and the Old Atasi Troupe' 'Mahomed Arif & Co' 'the G. C. M.' and the Madras Times.

16523 — Two dated from Cannanore Kannur Kerala India one to December 1913 and the other simply to 1913. Eight witty and attractive caricatures in a sub-Punch style. All eight in good condition on lightly-aged paper. Each in black ink on a separate piece of paper five of them 33.5 x 21.5 cm and three of them 21 x 17 cm. The context of the caricatures is at present obscure but would undoubtedly make itself clear with specialist research. The five largest illustrations are: ONE: Caption: 'Please to remember The twenty-seventh of November The "Bilk-Powder" treason and plot'. Balding European in dress uniform sitting on a powder barrel on which is written: 'Finest high explosives Bilk Powder Mahomed Arif & Co Sole Manufacturers Guaranteed to retain its power even after four years.' Barrel behind with 'ACRE JCS' on it. TWO: Dated in bottom right-hand corner: 'after Marcus Stone II Cannanore Dec 1913'. Same balding individual portrayed as a Regency duellist waiting pensively with pistol in hand at a stile as dapper figure with monocle and cane approaches. Musical phrase at foot with words: 'Somebodys waiting for Somebody. OLD SONG'. THREE: Caption: 'Another musical "hit" in "The Marriage Market" at Daly's "Slippery Jack" sings a pathetic BIlk Ballad accompanied by the full band of the G.C.M.' Same balding individual on stage in cowboy costume with marching band of Indian musicians behind him and monocled figure peeping out from behind curtain. Musical phrase at foot with words: 'My wife will tell the Public of the way that I've been served'. FOUR: Caption: 'Ragtime in Camp Jemadar Amwalla and The Old Atasi Troupe. "Oooohhhh! he's just meant for kings and queens "Dont yer ask us what he means "Topkhanah ke awaz par tumhara dil burra hojata" We just love that Hitchy Koo Hitchy Koo Hitchy Koo'. Balding individual in military fatigues at back of stage doing something akin to a Hitler salute while saying 'Kan Kholo Bloody Monkey' while five portly Indian men four in military unfiform perform music four on instruments and one singing. FIVE: Caption: 'Il Trovatore Act 4 Scene 19 Leonora Alias "Alicemary". from without deplores the fate of her lover and is answered from within the prison by Manrico Manrico "Tho' for one year we sever "Thou wilt remember me. "In the "Madras Times" there thou wilt champion me Alicemary mine! we part but not for ever'. The balding figure in a cell in chains with a view of a woman through barred gothic windows behind him. The three smaller illustrations are: SIX: Dated in bottom right-hand corner 'C. Cannanore 1913'. Musical phrase at foot with words: 'and the truth shall ever come uppermost and justice shall be done OLD SONG'. Regency scene featuring five Western individuals in a tavern including monocled figure and twittish toff outside window stalking with a gun. SEVEN: Caption: 'Serenade "Bilkeuse" by Il Domeni'. Balding individual in Elizabethan dress serenades Indian figure at window: 'Bilk on oh Bilk Sweet Aaaaaaaarif Oh Bilk again once more! Bilk oooonnnn!' Two flowers fall from the window with book titled 'ADJTS CASH ACCT'. EIGHT: Caption: 'Le Reve: the Court is closed to consider the Finding.' Five Western individuals in military dress uniform asleep on a bench while behind them turns a merry-go-round with a number of western and Indian figures on the horses. The word 'J'accuse' in small letters at head as well as '8 Shies at the CO for penny'. Sample scan slight loss through sixe of scanner bed. Two dated from Cannanore [Kannur, Kerala, India], one to December 1913 and the other simply to 1913. unknown