[MIDDLE EAST & ISLAMIC WORLD - LEBANON – BAALBEK & BEIRUT]

[Collection of Seventeen Loose Original Gelatin Silver Photos Showing Streets and Buildings of Baalbek and Beirut, and the Ruins of Heliopolis].

Ca. 1905. Seventeen loose gelatin silver photos ca. 11x16 cm (4 ¼ x 6 ¼ in) mounted on period card ca. 21x27 cm (8 ¼ x 10 ½ in). All photos with period pencil or ink captions in French on recto or verso of the mounts; all but one photo also with period ink numbers on the mounts. A couple of photos mildly faded, several mounts slightly soiled, with creases or small tears, but overall a very good collection of interesting photos.

Interesting collection of lively vernacular photos showing the archealogical sites and contemporary life of the Ottoman Empire Vilayet of Beirut in the early 20th century. The photos were taken by a French traveller who visited Beirut and Baalbek in 1905. Eight photos of Baalbek include general and street views, showing stone houses, shops and sellers, passers-by, &c. A photo of a large stream possibly depicts the Litani River. An interesting scene shows men shearing sheep near Roman ruins. Seven photos of the ruins of Roman Heliopolis include general and close-up views, featuring the Great Court and Propylaea of the Temple of Jupiter, &c. Two lively street views of Beirut show shops, passers-by and a donkey tied to a hook on a wall and trying to free himself. Overall, an attractive collection of original photos of Baalbek and Beirut during the last years of the Ottoman Empire.

Item #548

Price: $1,250.00 USD