The Knuckles (Colombo, 1868)

Scope and Content

A volume of poems by William Skeen, Government Printer of Ceylon, illustrated by albumen prints produced by his son, W.L.H. Skeen. The prints measure approximately 145 x 95 mm and are pasted in beside the text.
An advertisement by Skeen and Co. at the end of the book states the different editions of the work available: at 10 shillings with two photographs, at £1 with seven photographs, and 6 shillings without illustrations. The poem of the title is a history of the Knuckles planting district in five cantos of verse, with occasional pieces and 'The Christmas Tree' by R. Skeen at the end of the volume.

Administrative / Biographical History

W.L.H. Skeen was the son of William Skeen, the first official Ceylon Government Printer from 1849 to 1872. He founded W.L.H. Skeen and Co., a commercial photographic company active in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).

Access Information

Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).

Note

Includes index.

Other Finding Aids

A catalogue of the collection can be found on ArchiveSearch.

Alternative Form Available

This collection is available on microfiche: South Asia, fiche number 90.

Physical Characteristics and/or Technical Requirements

the prints are in fair condition, with some overall fading and yellowing.

Bibliography

'The Knuckles' was first published in: Skeen, William (1868), 'Ceylon Observer', Colombo, March-June.

Additional Information

This item level description was entered by NE and MJC using information from the original typescript catalogue.

Skeen, William Louis Henry, d 1903, photographer