Some 65 glass slides, most hand-painted – early pictures and photographs of Palestine, some documenting the official visit of Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1898. Various sites in Palestine (mostly Jerusalem), [ca. late 19th century and early 20th century].
The rarest of the slides in the collection are those that offer snapshots of the proceedings in the course of the official visit of the German head of state, Kaiser Wilhelm II, in Palestine in the year 1898: The imperial yacht (SMY Hohenzollern) disembarking from the Port of Venice (after painting by Hans Bohrdt, Instructor in Painting to the Imperial Court of Wilhelm II); balconies decked with flags and wreaths along Jaffa Road in Jerusalem in honor of the Kaiser's arrival; the Kaiser and his entourage on the Temple Mount, ascending the steps leading up from the Golden Gate; a train adorned with both Ottoman and Prussian flags departing from a train station (most likely the departure of the Kaiser and his entourage from Jerusalem en route to Jaffa); and more.
The majority of slides in the collection present landscapes and sites from all across Palestine, including Jerusalem (the Western Wall, Mt. of Olives, Tower of David, Dome of the Rock), Bethlehem, Jaffa (the Flea Market), Haifa, and other cities; local inhabitants in traditional dress; and more.
A small number of the glass slides are unpainted. The majority are titled (mostly in German) and numbered in handwriting on stickers in the margins. Edges wrapped in black paper tape.
Approx. 65 slides. Approx. 8.5X8.5 – 8.5X10 cm. Condition varies. Overall good condition. Minor blemishes. Number of slides in fair condition, with fractures to glass or blemishes to print. One slide with corner broken off and missing. Collection housed in wooden case.