Exceptional Artifact & Collectible Auction
Lot 416:
1896 Double Sided Albumen Photographs of the French/Swiss Alps – Mont Blanc, Aiguilles du Midi,
1896 albumen photographs of the French and Swiss Alps double sided album page Mont Blanc Aiguilles du Midi glacier views antique 19th century Alpine travel photography
A rare and beautifully preserved double sided album page containing six original 19th century albumen photographs documenting a mountaineering journey through the French and Swiss Alps in August 1896
Each photograph is captioned in period handwriting identifying major Alpine landmarks and early mountaineering routes
Side one includes
From Col de l Aiguille de la Lex August 1896
Glacier from Pierre de l Allemont Aug 96
Val d Ardon August 1896
Side two includes
Aiguilles du Midi August 1896
Hotel Mont D Or August 1896
Start Mt to Gouter August 1896 early ascent route toward Mont Blanc via the Gouter Ridge
These photographs are excellent examples of late Victorian Alpine and mountaineering photography produced at a time when travel to high mountain regions required significant effort and skill
Albumen prints from this era are prized for their warm tonal quality and their role in documenting early exploration of the Alps including the Mont Blanc massif
The page retains its original 1890s mount with handwritten captions and the notation Souven 16 indicating its place in a larger travel album
Both sides show good contrast and detail with expected age toning and edge wear consistent with genuine antique ephemera
Keywords
19th century photography albumen print Alps French Alps Swiss Alps Mont Blanc Aiguilles du Midi Gouter Route glacier photograph mountaineering alpine expedition Victorian travel 1896 photo antique ephemera exploration photography original album page antique mountain photograph Chamonix Alpine history
Dimensions
Album page measures 14 3 4 in by 11 5 8 in
Pictures are approximately 5 1 4 in by 4 1 8 in
Condition
Good antique condition with expected toning minor fading and edge wear
Provenance
Private collection United States
Condition: Authentic
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