Views of Algeria, circa 1860

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Summary

Abstract:
Collection of views showing native and colonial structures and habitation in provincial Algeria.
Extent:
8.0 photographic prints
Language:
Collection material is in French

Background

Scope and content:

This collection of mounted and captioned black and white albumen photographs features exterior views of French colonial Algeria. Two views show the oasis town of Laghouat, featuring mud brick walls, houses, mosques in the town and palm trees in the oasis; one image depicts a group of Arabs meeting at the oasis. A view of an Arab camp near Boughari shows tents beneath a huge rock formation. The effects of colonialism on the landscape and on cities is visible in several images: one shows a French house along a stream in the Gorge de la Chiffa, a popular tourist destination; a panoramic view of Tlemcen depicts the countryside and the city, including both French buildings and the minaret of the Great Mosque; another panoramic view illustrates the small colonial settlement scattered around the hills at Miliana.

Five mounts have the blindstamp: Alary & Geiser, Alger. The collection includes one print captioned "Tlemcen" and "Bois de Boulogne" in different hands; the photographer and actual site are unknown. The captions are transcribed from the original mounts.

Arrangement

No discernible original order; arranged by cataloger.

Biographical / historical:

Alary & Geiser was a photographic firm of long standing in Algiers. The business was possibly begun by Lucien-Jacob Geiser (1810-1852), an ébeniste by trade, who immigrated to Algeria from Switzerland with his wife Julie and three sons in 1850. Jean-Baptiste Antoine Alary (1810-c. 1867), an early daguerreotypist, probably became involved with the business after the death of Geiser père. Eventually the youngest Geiser son, Jean-Théophile (1848-1923) became involved with the business, running it into the 1920s.

Acquisition information:
Acquired in 1993.
Physical location:
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Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Location of this collection:
1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 1100
Los Angeles, CA 90049-1688, US
Contact:
(310) 440-7390
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