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. Published by William Mackenzie, London and Glasgow, [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), 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 Sinai and Palestine. Due to the local conditions, Frith had to carry the equipment on donkeys' backs from site to site, and develop the negatives right after he has taken the photographs, in tents which served as dark rooms. His works are considered the first professional photographs of Palestine.
Total of 148 photographs in eight volumes. Photographs - approx. 22.5X16 cm. Volumes - 43 cm. Fair-poor condition. Stains, creases and defects. Significant worming (the volumes were fumigated). Several tears. Original, gilt stamped bindings with leather spines. Gilt edges. Bindings are defected and worn, with worming. Some of the bindings are partly detached. One front binding is detached. Bookplates on inner side of front bindings.