Cochin

A collection of albums containing photographs, the majority taken by A.C. McKay but some by R.V. Kamath and by professional photographers.
The collection consists of photographs mostly 85 x 60 mm, but with occasional enlargements, carefully mounted in large albums and described in some detail in clear white writing on the black leaves. Each album is numbered on the spine, and clearly formed part of a larger collection than has been received.
McKay was a prolific photographer, and these albums reflect his interests - sailing, golf, travels at weekends along lagoons and by road into the interior, Scouting, and social life. He also took an interest in the way of life of the people and from time to time grouped material together under one subject. In view of the substantial size of this collection and the detailed descriptions provided in the albums, individual listing has not been attempted, but photographs are noted under broad subjects. In a number of cases enlargements are stuck in the same album as the originals, and it is probable that there was also some duplication when he gathered material on the same subject together. No attempt has been made to identify such duplicates. Though the final album does not relate to India, it has been kept, and listed, with the rest of the McKay collection for convenience.

Alan Campbell McKay was born on 7 August 1904. He first went to Cochin in 1928, having previously served in Ceylon. In a photograph album dated 1931 he described himself in the following way: 'Alan Campbell McKay, a Scotsman. Assistant-Accountant, National Bank of India, Ltd., Colombo, Nuwara Eliya and Cochin. Assistant District Commissioner of Boy Scouts, British Cochin. Hon. Badge Secretary, Boy Scouts District Association, British Cochin. Honorary Secretary, Cochin Golf Club. Member, Cochin Club Library Committee. Sports: golf, cricket, walking and motor-cycling. Hobbies: Reading, writing, photography. Collecting brassware and Eastern curios. Failings: Over-talkativeness, argumentativeness - and some'. He remained in banking until his retirement, and died in December 1984.

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).

The collection was given by Bertram Rota Ltd. in April 1986.

Includes index.

A catalogue of the collection can be found on ArchiveSearch.

Generally in good condition.

This collection level description was entered by SG using information from the original typescript catalogue.

McKay, Alan Campbell, 1904-1984, banker