Context (CMS Context)
(Bio) Lieutenant Samuel Pasfield Oliver, (Captain: 1871), Royal Artillery, visited Madagascar during 1861-2, and witnessed King Radama II’s coronation at Antananarivo (23 Sept 1861), and returned later in 1863 on HMS Rapid following the King’s presumed assassination, (12 May 1863).

The Annual Report for 1893 notes that Captain S. Pasfield Oliver, late R.A., gave a collection of "fifty-nine sketches and finished drawings in pencil, in;, and water colours, of prehistoric stone monuments, tumuli, and burial places, sketched by the donor in England, the Channel Islands, Brittany, Etruria, Sardinia, Greece, the Troad, Madagasgar, Japan and" as well as a number of books to the library". It is likely that the Madagascan material here accessioned as 2011.96-232 is part of this donation. Transferred from the Haddon library in a card folio in 2010.

The Rova of Antananarivo, situated on the Analamanga hill, in the capital city of Antananarivo, is the royal palace complex. See also the Illustrated London news, 2 May 1863, for this image titled, 'Madagascar: Entrance to the Palace, Antananarivo'.
Event Date 10/10/2011
Author: maa

Description (CMS Description)
Lithograph and pencil on paper. Image shows a white building with a flag at the top and three figures sitting underneath an arch. Inscription: 'Entrance to the Palace', 'S.P.Oliver', 'del: 1862 Antananarivo. Lith: Amelot and Co, Chaussee'. On the reverse is 410/0, and on the front a pencilled 13.
Event Date 10/10/2011
Author: maa