One hundred and forty-eight photographs of Palestine, Sinai and Egypt by Francis Frith. Four parts in eight volumes: Sinai and Palestine; Lower Egypt, Thebes and the Pyramids; Upper Egypt and Ethiopia; Egypt, Sinai and Palestine, Supplementary Volume. London and Glasgow: William Mackenzie, [ca. 1862]. English. Second edition.
In each of the four parts appear thirty-six photographs (each photograph is accompanied by a printed leaf with information about the photographed site), and a small photograph on each of the title pages.
Francis Frith (1822-1898) was one of the most important early photographers of Palestine. In 1856 he sailed to Alexandria, and for nearly two years he went on photography journeys in Egypt, Sinai and Palestine. Due to the local conditions, Frith had to carry the equipment from site to site on donkeys, and develop the negatives right after he has taken the photographs, in tents which served as darkrooms. His works are considered the first professional photographs of Palestine.
Total of 8 volumes, 148 photographs. Photographs: approx. 22.5X16 cm. Volumes: 43 cm. Fair-poor condition. Significant worming (the volumes were fumigated). Stains, creases and blemishes. A few tears. Original, gilt embossed bindings, with leather spines. Gilt edges. Bindings are damaged and worn, with worming. Some of the bindings are detached or partly detached. Bookplates on inside front bindings.
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