ALBUM OF 27 ALBUMEN PHOTOGRAPHS OF UPPER EGYPT, NUBIA, AND PALESTINE:
Folio, 27 large format vintage [c. 1862 - 1875] albumen photographs mounted within ink rules, recto only. There are 21 photographs, approximately 10 1/4 x 11 1/2 inches, or the reverse, by Antonio Beato, 20 of which are signed in the plate; the remaining 6 photographs, approximately 11 1/2 x 9 inches, are by Peter Bergheim, of which 4 are signed in the plate; 23 leaves at the end are left blank. There is often scattered foxing and dust soiling on the blank margins of the leaves. A few photographs have an occasional small spot of foxing or dusting, and a slight wrinkle caused by the adhesive used. As often occurs, in several photographs the tonality falls-off at the edges due to fading. The majority of images are captioned by the owner in French. Bound in a contemporary full black morroco, which is scuffed, worn and bordered in gilt; the upper cover, which bears the owner's monogram in gilt is detached. Item #54344
Antonio Beato was a naturalized British citizen, born in Corfu, c. 1835. His brother, Felice, also a photographer, was active in Japan, Egypt, Crimea, Greece, Turkey, Malta, etc. In March 1857, Felice, Antonio and photographer James Robertson, arrived together at the British consulate in Jerusalem. By 1859, Antonio was in Calcutta for about one year. In 1862, he opened his principal studio in Luxor, which he operated until his death in 1903, and in 1868 he is listed as having an additional studio in Cairo.
Peter Bergheim was one of the very first resident photographers in Jerusalem, having begun photographing in the late 1850s or early 1860s. The French language Guide Joanne of 1882 lists his photographic studio at Rue Chrétienne. He is considered one of the more accomplished photographers to have worked in Palestine.
Price: $3,500.00