Torr Antiques & Decorative Arts

Description

This is an impressive leather bound photograph album containing 34 large black and white photographs of student life in Oriel College, Oxford from the period 1912 to 1914 leading to the commencement of the First World War. The gold initials TCMA are embossed on the bottom right corner of the cover - these stand for Thomas Carnelly MacDonald Austin who entered military service shortly after these pictures were taken and fell during the siege of Kut on the Tigris on 9th April 2016 aged only 24. He was mentioned in Dispatches for service in Gallipoli. It was a life full of promise cut short by a cruel war.

Included in the album is a birds eye view of the city of Oxford and six views of the exterior and interior of college buildings (presumably mostly of Oriel College) with the remainder capturing the privileged life of an upper middle class undergraduate (Thomas was the son of the Rev Austin, a Minister at Putney, Wesleyan Church). Thomas Austin was clearly a very active student taking full advantage of the many sports and activities available to undergraduates at that time, membership of the Round Table and the Drama Society amongst them. There are also a number of photographs of regattas on the river, one of which is included in this listing.

Further information on Thomas Austin can be found on the Putney Methodist Church website.
Thomas is second left on the last photograph.

Dimensions: Width 46 cm, Height 37 cm, Depth 7.5 cm
(18 x 14 1/2 x 3 inch)
Weight 6.69 kg

Condition: The album is in very good antique condition with marbled end papers, all 31 pages present and no breaking of the spine. Please use the enquiry form or contact David on 07931 370372 if you would like additional information or photographs.

Postage & packing: £15 within the UK. Please contact us if you would like the album sent overseas.