Unidentified family photograph album, approximately 1850-1897

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Summary

Creator:
Bonfils, Félix, 1831-1885, Bourne, Samuel, 1834-1912, Frith, Francis, and Adelphoi Zangaki (Firm)
Abstract:
Collection comprises a photograph album maintained by an unidentified wealthy, possibly British, family; handwritten captions appear in several different hands. The 159 photographs either document family travel as souvenirs, or document both their travel and photograph collecting, because many of the photographs are albumen prints by famous late-19th-century photographers, including Bonfils, Zangaki, Samuel Bourne, Francis Frith, and others not identified except by the presence of their negative numbers and captions on the photograph. From these photographers there are images of Israel; Syria; Palestine; Jerusalem; Athens, Greece; and Agra, India, along with photographs of statues and other artifacts recovered in archaeological digs. Other photographs in the album were probably taken by family members, first in Venice, then in various places, including Scotland, England, and Jamaica. Among these photographs are albumen and cyanotype prints. Photographs in the album date between 1850 and 1897, and range in size from 1.5 x 2-inches to 8.5 x 11.5 inches.
Extent:
1.0 Linear Foot (1 box)
Language:
Materials in English
Collection ID:
RL.11098

Background

Scope and content:

Collection comprises a photograph album maintained by an unidentified wealthy, possibly British, family; handwritten captions appear in several different hands. The 159 photographs either document family travel as souvenirs, or document both their travel and photograph collecting, because many of the photographs are albumen prints by famous late-19th-century photographers, including Bonfils, Zangaki, Samuel Bourne, Francis Frith, and others not identified except by the presence of their negative numbers and captions on the photograph.

From these photographers there are images of Israel; Syria; Palestine; Jerusalem; Athens, Greece; and Agra, India, along with photographs of statues and other artifacts recovered in archaeological digs. Other photographs in the album were probably taken by family members, first in Venice, then in various places, including Scotland, England, and Jamaica. Among these photographs are albumen and cyanotype prints. Photographs in the album date somewhere between 1850 and 1897, and range in size from 1.5 x 2-inches to 8.5 x 11.5 inches. Acquired as part of the Archive of Documentary Arts.

Pages 138-186 of the album contain family photographs, incuding 46 albumen and 30 cyanotype photographs of individuals, groups, and animals, as well as a few photographs taken in Jamaica, Scotland, England, and other locations. The majority of these prints are 3.5x4.5-inches, although a few are 1.5 x 2-inches and up to 8x10-inches. The photographs are often accompanied by handwritten captions, and are dated between 1892-1897. A few photographs and captions have been removed from this section of the album. A photograph list has been housed with the item.

Acquisition information:
The Unidentified Family Photograph Album, approximately 1850-1897 was received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a transfer in 2009.
Processing information:

Processed by Alice Poffinberger, December, 2015

Physical facet:
159 photographs in 1 album
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

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Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Unidentified Family Photograph Album, approximately 1850-1897, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.