Albumin print, Suez Canal, Egypt Courbe de Chantier, historical view, circa 1875

This historical photograph shows a rare early general view of the Suez Canal in Egypt, 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 tone, a soft glossy surface, and high detail sharpness. The minimalist image composition captures the artificially created waterway in its formative phase, flanked by the wide, characteristic sand dunes of the desert landscape in the background. On the shoreline in the background, the photograph documents two small wooden huts as well as traditional sailing boats moored in front of them, underlining the still very untouched and rural character of this canal passage.

The authorship is attributed to a hitherto unknown photographer who captured this historic document around the estimated year of 1875. From a historical perspective, this original albumin photo is of high value as it preserves the pioneering days and the topographic condition of the project of the century prior to the construction of larger settlements or modern harbor facilities as an authentic visual document.

The historical collector's item is available as a loose sheet, features the original dimensions of 28,2 x 21,2 cm, and is in acceptable age-appropriate condition with a pronounced yellowish toning, shows small light creases, is somewhat yellowed overall, and foxed. On the bottom margin of the image, the white digit 8 is located within the negative on the left, while a light bar, presumably with the contemporary French inscription "Courbe de Chantier," can be seen on the right side.