A fine presentation set of his speeches, 1914 Speeches of Lord Hardinge of Penshurst Viceroy and Governor General of India. Superintendent Government Printing, India [Calcutta] 1914 2 volumes 1st edition 8vo. Vol I: viii, 467pp; Vol II: vi, 339pp. Original tan Morocco gilt, minor rubbing and wear at corners and head and tail of spine but an excellent pair, internally very clean and tight. Volume I with manuscript inscription in Hardinge’s hand Sir A Pinhey from Hardinge of P. 1916. Volume II with handsome armorial bookplate Alexander Fleetwood Pinhey. The books follow the standard pattern of those of other Viceroys and these de luxe copies were usually in a colour chosen by the Viceroy [Curzon’s for example were in black]. As well as the Viceroy’s speeches addresses to him are also printed, often giving context to the speech itself. Hardinge’s viceroyalty covered an important period in Indian history and he was the only Viceroy to receive a King Emperor when his powers were temporarily handed back to the King. He survived an attempt on his life and saw the start of the First World War while in office. An excellent presentation copy. nov13.1 Lieutenant Colonel Sir Alexander Fleetwood Pinhey, K.C.S.I., C.I.E. (1861-1916) served in the 3rd Bombay Cavalry [Lt 1882, Capt 1891, Major 1901, Lt Col 1908]. He was made C.I.E. in 1901 when in the Indian Staff Corps, his C.S.I. in 1911 for service when he was Private Secretary to the Viceroy, and his K.C.S.I. in 1915 when he is shown as serving in the Indian Political Service as Resident at Hyderabad and was at the 1911 Durbar in that capacity where he had his own camp [Coronation Durbar Official Directory p202]