Albumin print, Nile riverbank, Cairo Egypt, J P Sébah, late 19th century

This historical photograph shows a picturesque and detailed natural and cityscape view along the banks of the Nile in Cairo, Egypt, taken as an original albumin print between 1880 and 1890. The albumin process used was the dominant photochemical technique of that era, in which egg white was used to bind the light-sensitive silver salts to the paper, giving the photographs their characteristic warm sepia tone, a soft glossy surface, and high detail sharpness. The photograph documents the idyllic river landscape of the Nile with tall palm trees on the shore, traditional Egyptian sailing boats such as feluccas or dahabeyahs in the water, and the historical silhouette of Cairo's urban architecture in the background.

The work originates from the prominent photographer Jean Pascal Sébah, who successfully continued his father Pascal Sébah's world-famous photography studio in Istanbul and its important branch in Cairo after his death. J P Sébah was known for his technically flawless and artistically sophisticated documentations of Oriental landscapes, ancient sites, and daily life, which is why his prints were considered exclusive collector's items among international travelers of the late 19th century. This print was produced at the end of the 19th century, during the golden era of Egyptian travel photography. From a historical perspective, these original albumin photos are of high value as they preserve the untouched landscape of the Nile and traditional inland shipping prior to the major modern river regulations of the 20th century as an authentic visual primary document.

The historical collector's item is available as a loose sheet and features the original dimensions of 27 x 21,5 cm; small and light creases at the edges and corners; small surface tears; a good age-appropriate condition with slight toning; signs of wear are corresponding to age; the bottom margin features the original white caption within the photo negative with the archive number 105, the title "Nil Paysage," and the artist's signature "J P Sébah" in the lower right corner of the image.