ASP180/181-13

Gorgeous pair of unmounted gelatin silver prints, each 6 1/4"w x 8 1/2"h (15.9 x 21.6 cm), of Brazil by Carlos Bippus (active in Brazil 1910's -1930's). Theresopolis and Petropolis are small cities nestled amongst the forested hills of the "Serra dos Órgãos" in the Brazilian state of Rio do Janeiro. One photograph depicts a railroad line, and the other a road for automobiles between the two cities. Both are titled and signed (photographer's monogram; "Photo/Bippus/Rio") in the negative. Printed on double weight paper with oval stamp of vendor on verso. First image has a slight "ding" to upper left corner, and second image has a very minor scratch to center right. Else, both these photos are in fine, clean condition with truly beautiful toning. $75.00 each, or $125.00 the pair. SOLD

ASP182-13

Unmounted albumen photograph, 8"h x 10"w (20.3 x 25.4 cm), of the cloister of the cathedral of Monreale, Sicily by Guiseppe Incorpora (1834-1914). Completed about 1200, the cloister is remarkably well preserved and is, because of its size and beauty, one of the finest cloisters extant in Italy today. Numbered, titled and signed in a title strip at bottom edge of photo. Photo circa 1880. Guiseppe Incorpora founded his studio in Palermo in the 1860's, and for the next 30 years remained one of the most prolific of all Italian photographers, being succeeded in the business by his three sons upon his death. An excellent and detailed monograph of the firm entitled "Gli Incopora 1860-1940" was published in 2000. Title strip faded but legible. Photo in absolutely fine, clean and unmarked condition with rich toning. $100.00

ASP183-13

Unmounted albumen photograph, 6 3/4"h x 8 3/4" w (17.1 x 22.2 cm), of the Duomo of Messina by Giovanni Crupi (1859-1925). Titled, signed ("Crupi") and numbered in a title stip at bottom. Photo circa 1890. Destroyed by the devastating earthquake of 1908, the cathedral was rebuilt beginning in 1919. This photograph also includes the fountain of Orion, who is the mythical founder of Messina. Giovanni Crupi's studio was in Taormina. His views of that town and the coastline are well known, but he also traveled and photographed all over Sicily. He was one of Wilhelm von Gloeden's teachers in both the artisitc and technical aspects of photography, and von Gloeden purchased many of Crupi's negatives upon the latter's retirement. Photo in absolutely fine, clean and unmarked condition. $65.00

ASP184-13

Unmounted albumen photograph, 6 1/4"h x 8 1/4" w (15.9 x 21 cm), of a street in Pensarn, North Wales by Francis Bedford (1816-1894). Pensarn developed rapidly in the Victorian era as it became increasingly popular with English holidaymakers. Note the fence with barbed wire to the right of the man and woman talking, and also the large, rounded haystack just beyond, attesting to the fast disappearing rural setting. Signed, numbered and titled in the negative. Thin strip of fading to all edges of image. Else, clean and unmarked with good, strong tones. $50.00 SOLD

ASP185-13

Mounted albumen photograph, 11 1/4"h x 9"w (28.6 x 22.9 cm) of the Qutb Minar in Delhi by Samuel Bourne (1834-1912). This fluted, red sandstone structure is the world's tallest brick minaret and was erected between 1193 and 1368. Samuel Bourne, who began his career as a bank clerk, spent seven years (1863-1870) traveling widely all through the Indian subcontinent, and is justly regarded today as one of the finest landscape and travel photographers of 19th century India. Signed and numbered in the negative; "Bourne/1370". Mounted to a period grey stiff paper mount measuring 17"h x 14"w. Mount is soiled and chipped along edges. Photo is in near fine condition with some very minor scattered soiling and strong, even tones. $395.00

ASP186-13

Large mounted albumen photograph, 8 1/4"h x 11"w (21 x 27.9 cm), of a large group of Sri Lankan laborers and three western men by Charles T. Scowen (active 1870's-1880's). Titled and signed by hand in the negative;"Damboolagalla Coolies / Matale / Scowen / 1878". Matale is a town in the hill country of central Sri Lanka famous for its high quality teas. Dimbulagala (current spelling) also known as "Gunners Rock" during the British Colonial era, is a rock formation in the same area that rises from the surrounding landscape. Pierced with caves in which the indigenous people have made their homes, there is also a Bhuddist monastery constructed within the rock formation. This is cleary a "company photo" of a tea plantation that was most likely commissioned by the owner or perhaps the stock holders. Note the baskets lying in the foreground. Scowen's firm was one of the most prolific in Ceylon producing numerous topographical and landscape views for sale to travelers and abroad. That being said, because of the subject of this photo, and the limited interest it would engender in the typical photograph-buying public, this is very probably a scarce image. Mounted to a period grey, stiff paper mount measuring 17"h x 14" w. Mount is lightly soiled and chipped aroungd edges. Save for some mild patches of soiling to the sky area, the photo itself is in near fine condition. Clean and unmarked with strong, even toning. $250.00

ASP187-13

Mounted albumen photograph, 8"h x 10"w, (20.3 x 25.4 cm) of a view of Macao by John Thomson (1837-1921). Thomson was a pioneering Scottish photographer who, after traveling through various parts of Asia, settled in Hong Kong in 1868 and operated a studio there for the next four years. Using Hong Kong as his base, he traveled extensively throughout China and was the first known photographer to document the people and landscapes of China for publication in the western market. Returning to England, he published a four volume book entitled "Illustrations of China and its People" in London, 1873-1874. This photograph is a slight variant of his view of Macao in Volume 1, plate XXIII of that publication. A passage from the description accompanying this image reads; "The principal residences front the bay, round which runs a broad carriage drive, known as the Praya Grande, shown in this illustration. This picture was taken from the hill above Bishop's Bay, at the southern extremity of the Praya". Mounted to a period grey stiff paper mount measuring 14"h x 17"w. Mount lightly soiled and chipped along edges. Image has a vertical patch of of fading to the center far right border, which is most likely a result of the glue used to mount the print. In addition, there are several small, scattered patches of foxing. Else, this image is in clean, sound and near fine condition with excellent toning. Very special and scarce. $1,950.00 SOLD

ASP188-13

Mounted albumen photograph, 8"h x 10"w, (20.3 x 25.4 cm) of Chinese sedan carriers attributed to John Thomson (1837-1921). Thompson was a pioneering Scottish photographer who, after traveling through various parts of Asia, settled in Hong Kong in 1868 and operated a studio there for the next four years. Using Hong Kong as his base, he traveled extensively throughout China and was the first known photographer to document the people and landscapes of China for publication in the western market. Returning to England, he published a four volume book entitled "Illustrations of China and its People" in London, 1873-1874. While this particular photograph is not included in that published work, it's sympathetic and unbiased portrayal of the Chinese laborer are the characteristics that Thomson's photos are most noted for. Mounted to a period beige stiff paper mount measuring 11"h x 14"w. Mount clean with just a touch of edge wear and the slightest warp. Image has a broken vertical scratch to the center far right edge. Else, this image is in fine, clean and unmarked condition with excellent, strong tones and a lovely "gloss". Very special. $750.00 SOLD

ASP147-13

Mounted albumen photograph, 5 1/4"h x 8 1/2"w (13.3 x 21.6 cm) of Voltaire's Room in the Sanssouci Palace, Potsdam. Built by Frederick the Great of Prussia as a retreat from the formal pomp and ceremony of the Berlin court, it was here where the king entertained many of the leading minds of the day, of which none were more illustrious than Voltaitre. He and the king became friends, and the Voltaire room was frequently occupied by the philosopher during his stay in Potsdam from 1750-1753. Photograph blindstamped "HB/1890" in lower right corner. Whether this number means a date or an inventory number I can't say for sure. Mounted to a period beige, stiff card mount measuring 11"h x 14"w. Slight bow to mount. Discreet, contemporary writing in ink on lower left edge of mount. Photo in fine,clean condition. $50.00

ASP154-13

Pair of albumen photographs, mounted as cabinet cards, of the same beautiful young woman. The first is a vignetted portrait in a day dress, and the second is her posing in a wedding gown. Studio mark of "Mora, New York". Both images in fine, clean condition. $25.00, the pair.