Antique Album with Egypt and Suez Canal Photos by Zangaki Bro., c. 1890

Antique Album with Egypt and Suez Canal Photos by Zangaki, c. 1890

This stunning late 19th-century album, dating from around 1890, contains a remarkable set of eight original albumen photographs signed by the renowned Zangaki brothers. These prints offer a highly valuable documentary and aesthetic testimony of Egypt and the construction of the Suez Canal. The Zangaki brothers, Greek photographers based in Egypt, masterfully captured landscapes, daily life, portraits, and architecture during a period of major transformation, when the Canal was becoming a vital global trade route.

Each sepia-toned image evokes the romantic exoticism of 19th-century travel photography. The albumen process used to produce them, popular between 1860 and 1890, involved sensitizing paper with egg white and silver salts, resulting in beautifully detailed and softly glowing images. The photographs are sharp, elegantly framed, and signed in the negative, elevating them as authentic artistic documents.

The album is preserved in its original leather binding, with reinforced corners and spine, and shows minimal wear for its age. The cover is marked "VIEWS" in gold lettering. Inside, the marbled endpapers add a refined, period-correct touch. Each photograph measures 27 x 22 cm and is mounted on heavy pages. In addition to the photographs, there’s a printed montage showing a map and engraved views of the Suez Canal region.

The visuals include harbor scenes from Port Said, canal ships, railway stations, desert caravans, and local portraits. These images not only charm with their beauty but also document a pivotal moment in Egypt’s modernization. Their rarity, the confirmed authorship, and the excellent preservation make this album a highly collectible and investment-worthy piece.

An exceptional item, perfect for decorating a curated study or library, or as a highlight in a historical or photographic collection. A unique opportunity to own a visual document of 19th-century Egypt.

Measurements: 41 x 36 cm (16.14 x 14.17 in).

History of the Zangaki Brothers

The Zangaki brothers, Constantin and George, of Greek origin, were among the most prolific and respected photographers working in Egypt during the late 19th century. Beginning around 1870, they operated studios in Cairo and Port Said, often traveling to photograph Egyptian landscapes, monuments, and daily life scenes.

Their work is notable for its technical quality and documentary richness. Unlike many contemporaries who focused solely on architecture, the Zangaki brothers captured a wide range of subjects, including vendors, children, workers, and caravan scenes. Their prints were widely sold to European and American tourists and compiled into albums such as this one.

The albumen prints they produced were known for their fine tonal range and delicate finish. Today, their works are found in major institutions such as the Getty Museum and the Library of Congress. The brothers' photographs remain highly sought-after and admired for their historical value and artistic merit.