Finding aid for the John Bruce of Sumburgh and Mary Daziel Scott Bruce album of
views of the Holy Land, Lebanon, Damascus, and Turkey, photographed 1870-1902, compiled
1902
Beth Ann Guynn
Descriptive Summary
Title: John Bruce of Sumburgh and Mary Daziel Scott Bruce album of views of the Holy Land,
Lebanon, Damascus, and Turkey
Date (inclusive): photographed 1870-1902,
compiled 1902
Number: 2021.R.2
Creator/Collector:
Bruce, John, 1837-1907
Physical Description:
1.5 Linear Feet
(57 photographs in 1 album)
Repository:
The Getty Research Institute
Special Collections
1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 1100
Los Angeles 90049-1688
Business Number: (310) 440-7390
Fax Number: (310) 440-7780
reference@getty.edu
URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10020/askref
(310) 440-7390
Abstract: The album compiled by the Bruces of
Sumburgh contains 57 views of the Holy Land, Lebanon, Damascus, and Turkey collected on
their 1902 trip to the region. Photographers represented include Félix Bonfils, Sulaymân
Al-Hakîm, and Mihran Iranian.
Request Materials: Request access to the physical materials
described in this inventory through the
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Language: Collection material is in
English , French .
Biographical / Historical
John Bruce 11th of Sumburgh and Symbister (1837-1907) was in partnership with Grierson of
Quendale, Shetland as a fish merchant. He was elected as the Dunrossness South member of the
Zetland County Council in 1890, and became the first Convener of the county. He served on
the Dunrossness School Board, the Parish Council, and the Broonies Taing Trustees. In 1897,
Bruce and his brother-in-law, Mr. E. M. Nelson began excavating an Iron Age broch under
Jarlshof, the historic Bruce manor house, after a storm uncovered some of its buildings. He
wrote an account of their endeavors,
The Excavation of a Broch at
Jarlshof, Sumburgh, Shetland
, in 1907. He and Mary Daziel Scott (1845-1927) were
married in 1871.
Administrative Information
Publication Rights
Preferred Citation
John Bruce of Sumburgh and Mary Daziel Scott Bruce album of views of the Holy Land,
Lebanon, Damascus, and Turkey, photographed 1870-1902, compiled 1902, The Getty Research
Institute, Los Angeles, Accession no. 2021.R.2.
http:hdl.handle.net/10020/cifa2021r2
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Acquired in 2021.
Processing Information
The finding aid was written by Beth Ann Guynn in 2021.
Scope and Content of Collection
The album, compiled by John Bruce of Sumburgh and his wife, Mary Daziel Scott Bruce,
contains 57 photographs acquired during their travels in the Holy Land, Lebanon, Damascus,
and Turkey in 1902.
The album opens with a view captioned "Our Party at the Mosque of Omar, Jerusalem" likely
taken by a street or studio photographer working with tour groups. The couple standing at
the front of the group is likely the Bruces. Following this photograph, which situates the
Bruces on their tour, the remainder of the photographs in the album are images made by
established local photography studios that would have been readily available for purchase.
Twenty-nine photographs are by Bonfils, the firm which covered the widest geographical range
of the studios represented in the collection. Six photographs are signed by Sulaymân
Al-Hakîm (S. Hakim in negative), who operated a studio in Damascus in the 1890s, and eight
photographs are signed by or attributed to Mihran Iranian (M. Iranian in the negative), an
Armenian who operated in Istanbul in the 1890s.
Nine photographs by an unidentified studio photographer depicting Dr. Conrad Schick's
wooden models of the Tabernacle or Tent of the Congregation and the Temple Mount in
Jerusalem follow the first photograph in the album. Conrad Schick (1822–1901) was a German
architect, archaeologist, and Protestant missionary who settled in Jerusalem in 1846. In
addition to his architectural and proselytizing work, Schick also engaged in archaeological
activities in Jerusalem and surrounding areas over a fifty-year period. He worked for the
Palestine Exploration Fund and published his findings and theories in its journal. In 1872,
Schick was permitted to investigate the Temple Mount, making him one of the few non-Muslims
allowed access to the site. His two wooden models of the Temple Mount, the first of several
site models that he built, were subsequently exhibited the following year in the Turkish
pavilion at the Vienna World Exposition. Accompanying the photographs of Schick's models are
two printed texts found inserted in the album: "Explanation of Baurath Dr. Schick's Models"
(four pages) and "The Hechel or the Solomonic Temple: Proper, without the Courts and Other
Buildings" (one page).
The models are followed by views of places apparently visited by the Bruces with a focus on
Biblical, Islamic, and other ancient sites and include city gates, mosques, temples, and
tombs. These include Jerusalem and other West Bank sites such as Siloam, the Valley of
Jehoshaphat, Bethany, the Mount of Olives, Mount Tabor, Hebron, Jericho, and Bethlehem, all
taken by Bonfils. Views of Damascus are by both Bonfils and Al-Hakîm. Of particular note
among the Al-Hakîm photographs is one image captioned "An Arab Sheikh" depicting an
otherwise unnamed man riding a camel. This image focusing on an individual is unique within
the album of views. Views of Beirut, its famed cedars, Tripoli, and the temple complex at
BaἸabakk are by Bonfils. Views of Constantinople (Istanbul) by Mihran Iranian include one
contemporary moment, that of the Sélamik ceremony, the Sultan's procession to the mosque.
Other sites in Turkey include views of Smyrna (Ízmir) by Bonfils. The album closes with a
view of San Remo, Italy by Stengel & Co. and an unsigned tinted photograph captioned
"The Blue Grotto."
The album is bound in black half morocco with black pebbled boards and gilt-tooled borders
on the spine and corners; all edges are gilt. An ink inscription on the front free endpaper
reads: Mr. & Mrs. Bruce / Sumburgh / 1902. English captions are written on the mounts
below 51 of the photographs.
Titles of individual photographs are either from the titles in their negatives or the
captions written on the mounts, as noted. Photographs are albumen prints unless otherwise
noted. Other processes present in the album include collotype, collodion POP, and gelatin
silver prints.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in a single series:
Series I. John Bruce
of Sumburgh and Mary Daziel Scott Bruce album of views of the Holy Land, Lebanon,
Damascus, and Turkey, photographed 1870-1902, compiled 1902.
Indexing Terms
Subjects - Names
Bonfils, Félix,
1831-1885
Iranian, M.
Al-Hakîm, Sulaymân
Schick, Conrad, 1822-1901
Subjects - Corporate Bodies
Stengel & Co.
Subjects - Topics
Mosques
Temples -- Jerusalem
Temples -- Lebanon BaἹabakk
Tombs
Subjects - Places
Ba'labakk (Lebanon) -- Description and travel
Beirut (Lebanon) -- Description and travel
Damascus (Syria) -- Description and
travel
Istanbul (Turkey) -- Description and travel
İzmir (Turkey) -- Description and travel
Palestine -- Description and travel
Temple Mount (Jerusalem) -- Designs and plans
Tripoli (Lebanon) -- Description and
travel
West Bank -- Description and travel
Genres and Forms of Material
Albumen prints -- 19th century
Collodion prints -- 19th century
Collotypes -- 19th century
Gelatin silver prints -- 20th century
Photograph albums -- Scotland -- 20th century
Photographs, Original.
Contributors
Bruce, John, 1837-1907
Bruce, Mary Daziel Scott, 1845-1927
Series I.
John Bruce of Sumburgh and Mary Daziel Scott Bruce album of views of the Holy
Land, Lebanon, Damascus, and Turkey,
photographed 1870-1902,
compiled 1902
Arrangement
In original order.
box 1, Item Front cover
2021.R.2-fc
Front cover,
1902
box 1, page Front paste
down
2021.R.2-fpe
Front paste-down endpaper,
1902
Scope and Content Note
With a small wet stamp in the upper right corner in the shape of a pen nib bearing
the initials S. W.
box 1, page Free front
endpaper
2021.R.2-ffe
Free front endpaper,
1902
Scope and Content Note
With ink inscription: Mr. & Mrs. Bruce / Sumburgh / 1902.
box 1, page Free front endpaper
verso
2021.R.2-fev
Verso of free front endpaper,
1902
box 1, page 1 recto
2021.R.2-1r
Photographer unidentified, Our Party at the Mosque of Omar,
Jerusalem,
1902
Scope and Content Note
Title from annotation on mount. The couple at the front of the group are likely the
Bruces.
box 1, page 1 verso
2021.R.2-1v
Photographer unidentified, The Tabernacle,
ca. 1902
Scope and Content Note
Title from annotation on mount. Depicts a model of the Tabernacle or Tent of the
Congregation by Dr. Conrad Schick. Gelatin silver print.
box 1, page 2 recto
2021.R.2-2r
Photographer unidentified, Solomon's Temple, 1000 BC,
ca. 1902
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative. Annotation on mount: Solomon's Temple. Depicts a removable
building from the larger model of Solomon's temple by Dr. Conrad Schick. Gelatin
silver print.
box 1, page 2 verso
2021.R.2-2v
Photographer unidentified, Solomon's Temple, BC 1000,
ca. 1902
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative. View of Schick's entire model seen from the southwest corner.
Gelatin silver print.
box 1, page 3 recto
2021.R.2-3r
Photographer unidentified, Zorobabel's Temple,
ca. 1902
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative. Model by Schick. Gelatin silver print.
box 1, page 3 verso
2021.R.2-3v
Photographer unidentified, Herod's Temple, BC 30,
ca. 1902
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative. Depicts the removeable temple building from Schick's larger
model. Gelatin silver print.
box 1, page 4 recto
2021.R.2-4r
Photographer unidentified, Herod's Temple, 30 BC,
ca. 1902
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative. Depicts Schick's entire model. Gelatin silver print.
box 1, page 4 verso
2021.R.2-4v
Photographer unidentified, Justinian's Temple, AD 530,
ca. 1902
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative. Depicts Schick's entire model from the southwest. Gelatin silver
print.
box 1, page 5 recto
2021.R.2-5r
Photographer unidentified, Haram Es-Cherif,
ca. 1902
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative. Depicts Schick's entire model from the southwest. Gelatin silver
print.
box 1, page 5 verso
2021.R.2-5v
Photographer unidentified, Solomon's Temple,
ca. 1902
Scope and Content Note
Title from annotation on mount. Depicts Schick's topographical model. Gelatin silver
print.
box 1, page 6 recto
2021.R.2-6r
Bonfils, Félix, Vue générale de Beyrouth et de l'église
américaine,
1880s
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative, and numbered: 482. Signed in negative: Bonfils. Annotation on
mount: Beyrout & the American church.
box 1, page 6 verso
2021.R.2-6v
Photographer unidentified, Pariah Dogs,
between
1880-1902
Scope and Content Note
Title from annotation on mount. Numbered in negative: 166. Collodion POP.
box 1, page 7 recto
2021.R.2-7r
Bonfils, Félix, Village de Siloé - The Village of Siloam,
1880s
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative, and numbered: 315. Signed in negative: Bonfils. Annotation on
mount: Siloam. (I.e. Silwan, East Jerusalem.)
box 1, page 7 verso
2021.R.2-7v
Bonfils, Félix, Tombeaux des rois, cour intérieure - Temple of the Kings,
Inner Court,
1880s
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative, and numbered: 321. Signed in negative: Bonfils. Annotation on
mount: Tomb of the Kings, Jerusalem.
box 1, page 8 recto
2021.R.2-8r
Bonfils, Félix, Porte d'David - David's Gate,
1880s
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative, and numbered: 291. Signed in negative: Bonfils. Annotation on
mount: David's Gate, Jerusalem.
box 1, page 8 verso
2021.R.2-8v
Bonfils, Félix, Porte de Damas à Jérusalem,
1880s
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative, and numbered: 287. Signed in negative: Bonfils. Annotation on
mount: Damascus Gate, Jerusalem.
box 1, page 9 recto
2021.R.2-9r
Bonfils, Félix, Porte dorée extérieure - The Golden Gate,
Exterior,
ca. 1873
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative, and numbered: 275. Signed in negative: Bonfils. Annotation on
mount: The Golden Gate, Jerusalem.
box 1, page 9 verso
2021.R.2-9v
Bonfils, Félix, Mont de Oliviers,
1870s-1880s
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative. Annotation on mount: Mount of Olives. Signed in negative:
Bonfils.
box 1, page 10 recto
2021.R.2-10r
Bonfils, Félix, Vallée des tombeaux de Josophat - The Valley of Tombs of
Jehoshaphat,
between 1870 and
1885
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative, and numbered: 310. Signed in negative: Bonfils. Annotation on
mount: Valley of Jehosophat.
box 1, page 10 verso
2021.R.2-10v
Bonfils, Félix, Vue générale de Bethany - General View of
Bethany,
1880s
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative, and numbered: 346. Signed in negative: Bonfils. Annotation on
mount: Berthany.
box 1, page 11 recto
2021.R.2-11r
Bonfils, Félix, Jardin de Gethsemené, vue générale - The Garden of
Gethsemane, General View,
1880s
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative, and numbered: 1r. C5. Signed in negative: Bonfils. Annotation on
mount: Garden of Gethsemane.
box 1, page 11 verso
2021.R.2-11v
Photographer unidentified, Mount Tabor,
1890s
Scope and Content Note
Title from annotation on verso. Collodion POP?
box 1, page 12 recto
2021.R.2-12r
Bonfils, Félix, Vue générale de Hébron - General View of Hebron,
1880s
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative, and numbered: 338. Signed in negative: Bonfils. Annotation on
mount: Hebron.
box 1, page 12 verso
2021.R.2-12v
Al-Hakîm, Sulaymân, An Arab Sheikh,
1890s
Scope and Content Note
Title from caption on mount. Signed and numbered in negative: S. Hakim. 180. Depicts
a man riding a camel in front of the ruins of Palmyra.
box 1, page 13 recto
2021.R.2-13r
Bonfils, Félix, Montagne de la quarantaine près Jéricho,
1870s
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative, and numbered: 344. Signed in negative: Bonfils. Annotation on
mount: Mountain of Temptation, Jericho.
box 1, page 13 verso
2021.R.2-13v
Bonfils, Félix, Fontaine d'Elisée - Elisa's Fountain,
1870s
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative, and numbered: 345. Signed in negative: Bonfils. Annotation on
mount: Elisha's Fountain.
box 1, page 14 recto
2021.R.2-14r
Bonfils, Félix, Vue générale de Bethléem du puits de David - General View of
Bethlehem from David's Well,
1880s
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative, and numbered: 1225. Signed in negative: Bonfils. Annotation on
mount: Bethlehem.
box 1, page 14 verso
2021.R.2-14v
Bonfils, Félix, Panorama de Bethléem No. 2,
1880s
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative, and numbered: 332. Signed in negative: Bonfils. Annotation on
mount: Bethlehem.
box 1, page 15 recto
2021.R.2-15r
Al-Hakîm, Sulaymân, Damas avec la forteresse,
1890s
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative, and numbered: 8 (?). Signed in negative: S. Hakim. Annotation on
mount: Damascus.
box 1, page 15 verso
2021.R.2-15v
Al-Hakîm, Sulaymân, Damas l'entrée avec barada,
1890s
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative, and numbered: 20. Signed in negative: S. Hakim. Annotation on
mount: Damascus / The River Pharphar.
box 1, page 16 recto
2021.R.2-16r
Bonfils, Félix, Damas, minaret de la Fiancée, Syrie,
1870s
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative, and numbered: 408. Signed in negative: Bonfils. Annotation on
mount: Damascus.
box 1, page 16 verso
2021.R.2-16v
Al-Hakîm, Sulaymân, Damas - Tombeau de St. Jean,
1890s
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative, and numbered: 16. Signed in negative: S. Hakim. Annotation on
mount: Tomb of "St. John" / Damascus.
box 1, page 17 recto
2021.R.2-17r
Bonfils, Félix, Damas - rue droite près de Bab-Charki,
1880s
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative, and numbered: 414. Signed in negative: Bonfils. Annotation on
mount: "The Street that is Called Straight" / Damascus.
box 1, page 17 verso
2021.R.2-17v
Al-Hakîm, Sulaymân, Damas - Porte du mur de St. Paul,
1890s
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative, and numbered: 7. Signed in negative: S. Hakim. Annotation on
mount: Damascus / Gate of St. Paul's Wall.
box 1, page 18 recto
2021.R.2-18r
Bonfils, Félix, Vue générale de Balbek, Syrie,
1880s
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative, and numbered: 438. Signed in negative: Bonfils. Annotation on
mount: General view of Baalbeck.
box 1, page 18 verso
2021.R.2-18v
Bonfils, Félix, Baalbek,
1870s
Scope and Content Note
Title from annotation on mount. Signed in negative: Bonfils. View of the Temple of
Venus.
box 1, page 19 recto
2021.R.2-19r
Bonfils, Félix, Porte de la temple de Jupiter,
1873
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative. Signed twice in negative, in block letters and in script on right
wall: Bonfils. Annotation on mount: Baalbek.
box 1, page 19 verso
2021.R.2-19v
Bonfils, Félix, Balbek - Détails des colonnes cannelées du
temple,
1880s
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative, and numbered: 824. Annotation on mount: Baalbek. View of cornice
and capitals.
box 1, page 20 recto
2021.R.2-20r
Bonfils, Félix, Balbek - Colonne inclinée et détailes de
colonnes,
1880s
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative, and numbered: 448. Signed in negative: Bonfils. Annotation on
mount: Baalbek. Lateral view of the Temple of Bacchus.
box 1, page 20 verso
2021.R.2-20v
Bonfils, Félix, Balbek - Détail des frises extérieures du temple de
Jupiter,
1880s
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative and signed: Bonfils. Annotation on mount: Baalbek.
box 1, page 21 recto
2021.R.2-21r
Bonfils, Félix, Ante-Libon - Vue générale de Jébilani,
1880s
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative, and numbered: 813. Signed in negative: Bonfils. Annotation on
mount: The Lebanon Mountains.
box 1, page 21 verso
2021.R.2-21v
Bonfils, Félix, Vue générale la forét des cedres du Leban,
1880s
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative, and numbered: 1071. Signed in negative: Bonfils. Annotation on
mount: The forest of the cedars of Lebanon.
box 1, page 22 recto
2021.R.2-22r
Al-Hakîm, Sulaymân, Cedres du Leban,
1890s
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative, and numbered: 112. Signed in negative: S. Hakim. Annotation on
mount: Cedars of Lebanon.
box 1, page 22 verso
2021.R.2-22v
Bonfils, Félix, Une bunche ...,
1880s
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative (partially illegible), and numbered: 1083. Signed in negative:
Bonfils. Annotation on mount: Bunch of cones from the cedars of Lebanon.
box 1, page 23 recto
2021.R.2-23r
Bonfils, Félix, Quais de Smyrne,
1880s
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative, and numbered: 1254. Signed in negative: Bonfils. Annotation on
mount: The quay at Smyrna.
box 1, page 23 verso
2021.R.2-23v
Bonfils, Félix, Vue générale de Smyrne, loc ville...,
1880s
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative, and numbered: 499. Signed in negative: Bonfils. Annotation on
mount: Smyrna.
box 1, page 24 recto
2021.R.2-24r
Bonfils, Félix, Porte de Tripoli,
ca. 1875
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative, and numbered twice: 425. Signed in negative: Bonfils. Annotation
on mount: Tripoli.
box 1, page 24 verso
2021.R.2-24v
Iranian, Mihran, attributed, Palais de Dolma Bactché,
1890s
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative, and numbered: 193. Annotation on mount: Sultan's palace /
Constantinople.
box 1, page 25 recto
2021.R.2-25r
Iranian, Mihran, attributed, Sélamik,
1890s
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative, and numbered: 189. Annotation on mount: The Sélamik at
Constantinople.
box 1, page 25 verso
2021.R.2-25v
Iranian, Mihran (?), Pigeon Mosque, Constantinople,
1901
Scope and Content Note
Title from annotation on mount. Dated in negative and numbered: 599.
box 1, page 26 recto
2021.R.2-26r
Iranian, Mihran, Mosquée Sultan Ahmed,
1890s
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative, and numbered: 51. Signed in negative: M. Iranian. Annotation on
mount: Mosque of Sultan Ahmed / Constantinople.
box 1, page 26 verso
2021.R.2-26v
Iranian, Mihran, Sainte Sophie,
1890s
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative. Numbered in negative: 50; and signed: M. Iranian. Annotation on
mount: "Saint Sophia" / Constantinople.
box 1, page 27 recto
2021.R.2-27r
Iranian, Mihran (?), Sainte Sophia,
1890s
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative, and numbered: 127. Annotation on mount: "Saint Sophia." View
towards the nave taken from an upper gallery.
box 1, page 27 verso
2021.R.2-27v
Iranian, Mihran (?), "Saint Sophia,"
1890s
Scope and Content Note
Title from annotation on mount. View of upper gallery.
box 1, page 28 recto
2021.R.2-28r
Iranian, Mihran, Ste. Sophie, vue intérieure,
1890s
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative, and numbered: 135. Signed in negative: M. Iranian. Annotation on
mount: "Saint Sophia."
box 1, page 28 verso
2021.R.2-28v
Stengel & Co., San Remo, vue d'un jardin,
ca. 1900
Scope and Content Note
Titled in negative, and numbered: 6711. Signed in negative: Stengel & Co., edité
Dresde. Annotation on mount: San Remo. Collotype.
box 1, page 29 recto
2021.R.2-29r
Photographer unidentified, The Blue Grotto, Capri,
ca. 1900
Scope and Content Note
Title from annotation on mount. Blue-toned gelatin silver (?) print.
box 1, page 29 verso
2021.R.2-29v
Blank page,
1902
box 1, Item sheet 1
2021.R.2-s1
Author unidentified, "Explanation of Baurath Dr. Schick's
Models,"
ca. 1902
Scope and Content Note
Four-page printed text inserted in the album.
box 1, Item sheet 2
2021.R.2-s2
Author unidentified, "The Hechel or the Solomonic Temple: Proper, without the
Courts and Other Buildings,"
ca. 1902
Scope and Content Note
One-page printed text inserted in the album.
box 1, page Back paste-down
endpaper
2021.R.2-bpe
Back paste-down endpaper,
1902
box 1, page Back cover
2021.R.2-bc
Back cover,
1902
