Albumin print, Oran harbor, Algeria, Promenade de l'Étang, ND Phot, circa 1900

This historical photograph shows a detailed view of the harbor of Oran in Algeria, taken as an original albumin print. 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 image composition was taken from the well-known Promenade de l'Étang and opens up a view of the wide harbor basin, where numerous historical steamships and sailing ships lie, testifying to the bustling trade activity of the era. On the prominent mountain in the background rises the historical Fort de Santa Cruz, a fortress complex from the 17th century that was originally built during Spanish rule.

The authorship is undisputedly attributed to the renowned French publishing house Neurdein Frères under the well-known brand ND Phot due to the original text in the photo negative. This print was produced around the year 1900, during the heyday of topographic travel photography. From a historical perspective, this original albumin photo is of high value as it preserves the maritime infrastructure and strategic importance of the Algerian coastal city at the turn of the century as an authentic visual primary document.

The historical collector's item is available as a loose sheet and features the original dimensions of 27,3 x 21,5 cm; good age-appropriate condition with slight toning; the bottom margin features the original white caption within the negative: "302 Oran. – Le Port, vue prise de la Promenade de l'Étang."