Linnaeus Tripe (1822-1902) documented much of south India as official photographer to the Madras government (1856-1860). This cover binds the album Photographic Views of Seringham 1858, by 'Captain L. Tripe, Government Photographer', published in 1860. It was taken as part of Tripe's official remit, which he himself defined broadly, as recording, 'before they disappear' buildings, sculptures and inscriptionsà ' including the picturesque. This was a model for an extensive survey. Up to 39 copies of the album were produced in the 1860s, but only 9 are known to have survived.
