Albumin print, harbor basin, Port Said, Egypt, shipping, Hippolyte Arnoux, late 19th century

This historical photograph shows a busy and detailed panoramic view of the harbor of Port Said in Egypt, taken as an original albumin print in the 1880s. 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. In the photograph, the extensive harbor basin spreads out, where numerous historical steamships, sailing ships, and freighters lie anchored closely together, while the quays and colonial buildings can be seen in the foreground. The high density of ships impressively documents the enormous economic and maritime importance of the port as a central bottleneck and strategic hub shortly after the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869.

The work originates from the well-known French photographer Hippolyte Arnoux, who operated a studio in Port Said in the late 19th century and became famous as the official chronicler of the construction work and early operation of the Suez Canal. Arnoux documented the transformation of the region from a desert area into one of the busiest waterways in the world and left behind an invaluable historical oeuvre characterized by masterly image composition and documentary precision. This print was produced at the end of the 19th century during the heyday of early Egyptian travel photography. From a historical perspective, these original albumin photos are of high value as they precisely preserve the technological changes in global shipping and the rapid rise of Egypt into an intercontinental trade center.

The historical collector's item is available as a loose sheet, shows slight yellowing as well as small and light creases at the edges and corners, and features a small surface tear in the lower left corner; there is a small, minimally visible hole in both the bottom left and bottom right from an early mounting; the back has slight foxing as well as a small handwritten note reading "Said" with an illegible initial letter; it is overall in good age-appropriate condition with slight toning, signs of wear corresponding to age, and shows the original white artist's signature "H Arnoux" in the lower left corner.