Albumin print, Oran harbor, Algeria, general view of the pier, ND Phot, circa 1890

This historical photograph shows a detailed general 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 photographed from the quay wall and documents the bustling atmosphere of the North African port city during the French colonial period. In the foreground, dockworkers can be recognized during loading activities, surrounded by numerous barrels and crates stacked on the quay. Directly at the quay, a large historical cargo steamer lies at anchor, while the dense urban architecture of Oran extends picturesquely along the hillside in the background.

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 in the period between 1880 and 1895, during the peak phase of topographic Oriental and travel photography. From a historical perspective, this original albumin photo is of high value as it preserves the maritime cargo handling and the historical cityscape of Oran prior to the major modern harbor and city expansions of the 20th century as an authentic visual document.

The historical collector's item is available as a loose sheet and features the original dimensions of 27,2 x 21 cm; good age-appropriate condition with slight toning; a small trimmed corner on the upper left margin. The bottom margin features the original white text within the negative: "ORAN, Vue Générale du Port prise du Môle - ND Phot."