Finding aid for the Carte-de-visite album of Algeria, 1870s-1880s
Beth Ann Guynn
Descriptive Summary
Title: Carte-de-visite album of Algeria
Date (inclusive): 1870s-1880s
Number: 2019.R.1
Physical Description:
1 Linear Foot
(Album of 52 photographs)
Repository:
The Getty Research Institute
Special Collections
1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 1100
Los Angeles 90049-1688
reference@getty.edu
URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10020/askref
(310) 440-7390
Abstract: The carte-de-visite album contains 50
cartes-de-visite of Algeria and Algerians by various photographers including Jean Geiser and
Alexandre Leroux; a two-part panorama of Algiers by Jean Geiser made from two joined
horizontal cabinet cards; and a panoramic view of Oran by A. Decugis showing the port and
military hospital, also on a horizontal cabinet card.
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Language: Collection material is in
English
Biographical / Historical
Lucien-Jacob Geiser (1810-1852), an ébéniste by trade, immigrated to Algeria from
Switzerland with his wife Julie and three sons in 1850, but died shortly thereafter in 1852.
It is unclear whether Geiser père opened the photography business or his widow Julie opened
it after her husband's death, but the family eventually partnered with Jean-Baptiste-Antoine
Alary (1810-c. 1867), an early daguerreotypist, renaming the firm Alary & Geiser. After
Alary's death the youngest Geiser son, Jean-Théophile (1848-1923), took over the business,
running it into the 1920s under the name Jean Geiser.
Alexandre Leroux owned and operated a photography studio in Algiers from the 1870s until
his death in 1912. After his death, his sons continued selling his prints using his
stamp.
Little is known about the photographers L. Cairol; A. Decugis; Elie Karsenty; and A.
Rigod.
Administrative Information
Publication Rights
Access
Open for use by qualified researchers.
Preferred Citation
Carte-de-visite album of Algeria, 1870s-1880s, The Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles,
Accession no. 2019.R.1.
http://hdl.handle.net/10020/cifa2019r1
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Acquired in 2019.
Processing Information
The finding aid was written by Beth Ann Guynn in 2019.
Existence and Location of Copies
The collection was digitized by the repository in 2019 and the images are available
online:
http://hdl.handle.net/10020/2019r1
Scope and Content of Collection
The album contains 50 cartes-de-visite of Algeria and Algerians by various photographers; a
two-part panorama of Algiers by Jean Geiser made from two joined horizontal cabinet cards;
and a panoramic view of Oran by A. Decugis showing the port and military hospital, also on a
horizontal cabinet card.
The Geiser panorama of Algiers is the first image in the album, adhered to the verso of the
blank page preceding the carte-de-visite mounts. The first part of the album is devoted to
views of Algiers, Blida, and Oran, while the remaining images are studio portraits of
Algerian "types." The larger view of Oran is the final image in the album.
Rather than being inserted in their slots back-to-back, the cartes-de-visite are arranged
in the album so that their versos are showing. The makers of the bulk of the photographs are
not identified by imprints on their versos, and any imprints on their rectos are covered by
the album mounts. In addition to Geiser and Decugis, photographers known to be represented
in the album include Alexandre Leroux; L. Cairol; Elie Karsenty; and A. Rigod.
The album has bossed brown calf covers with floral and geometric designs.
Ink annotations are written in French on the versos of 33 of the cartes-de-visite, and on
the rectos of the panoramas of Algiers and Oran.
Arrangement
The album is arranged in a single series:
Series I.Carte-de-visite album of Algeria,
1870s-1880s.
Indexing Terms
Subjects - Names
Cairol, L.
Jean, Geiser,
1848-1923
Decugis, A.
Karsenty, Elie
Leroux, A. (Alexandre),
1832-1912
Rigod, A.
Subjects - Topics
Algerians -- Portraits
Subjects - Places
Algiers (Algeria) -- Description and travel
Blida (Algeria) -- Description and travel
Oran (Algeria) -- Description and travel
Genres and Forms of Material
Albumen prints -- Algeria -- 19th century
Cabinet cards -- Algeria -- 19th century
Cartes-de-visite -- Algeria -- 19th century
Photograph albums -- Algeria -- 19th century
Photographs, Original
Series I.
Carte-de-visite album of Algeria,
1870s-1880s
Scope and Content Note
Titles from annotations on mount versos unless otherwise noted.
Arrangement
In original order.
box 1, page front
endpapers
2019.R.1-fe
Front endpapers
box 1, page front free endpaper
verso
2019.R.1-fe_v
Verso of front free endpaper
box 1, page 1 verso
2019.R.1-1v
Geiser, Jean, Algier, vue générale,
not before 1872
Scope and Content Note
Two-part joined panorama made from two cabinet cards. Photographer's imprint on both
mounts: Jean Geiser, Phot. 7, rue Bab-Azoun, Alger.
box 1, page 2 recto-1
2019.R.1-2r1
Photographer unidentified, Alger, place du Gouvernement et mosquée de
Djama-Djédid,
ca. 1880
box 1, page 2 recto-2
2019.R1-2r2
Photographer unidentified, Alger, boulevard de la République,
quais,
ca. 1880
box 1, page 3 recto-1
2019.R.1-3r1
Leroux, Alexandre, Intérieur de l'archevêché,
not before 1881
Scope and Content Note
Annotation on verso written over elaborate Leroux imprint that includes images of
medals won in 1880 and 1881.
box 1, page 3 recto-2
2019.R.1-3r2
Leroux, Alexandre, Colonnades rue de la Marine, Alger,
not before 1881
Scope and Content Note
Annotation on verso written over elaborate Leroux imprint that includes images of
medals won in 1880 and 1881.
box 1, page 4 recto-1
2019.R.1-4r1
Leroux, Alexandre, Intérieur de la grande mosquée,
not before 1881
Scope and Content Note
Annotation on verso written over elaborate Leroux imprint that includes images of
medals won in 1880 and 1881.
box 1, page 4 recto-2
2019.R.1-4r2
Photographer unidentified, Alger, intérieur d'une maison arabe,
ca. 1880
box 1, page 5 recto-1
2019.R.1-5r1
Photographer unidentified, Alger, rue de la Ville Haute,
ca. 1880
Scope and Content Note
View of the street's arches.
box 1, page 5 recto-2
2019.R.1-5r2
Photographer unidentified, Alger, rue de la Ville Haute,
ca. 1880
Scope and Content Note
A doorway on the street.
box 1, page 6 recto-1
2019.R.1-6r1
Photographer unidentified, Alger, boutique arabe,
ca. 1880
box 1, page 6 recto-2
2019.R.1-6r2
Leroux, Alexandre, Port de la casbah,
not before 1881
Scope and Content Note
Annotation on verso written over elaborate Leroux imprint that includes images of
medals won in 1880 and 1881.
box 1, page 7 recto-1
2019.R.1-7r1
Photographer unidentified, Alger, Notre Dame d'Afrique,
ca. 1880
box 1, page 7 recto-2
2019.R.1-7r2
Photographer unidentified, Alger, Mustapha Suleimanie, palais du
gouverneur,
ca. 1880
box 1, page 8 recto-1
2019.R.1-8r1
Leroux, Alexandre, Alger, vue de allée du Jardin d'Essai,
not before 1881
Scope and Content Note
Annotation on verso written over elaborate Leroux imprint that includes images of
medals won in 1880 and 1881.
box 1, page 8 recto-2
2019.R.1-8r2
Photographer unidentified, Blidah, vue générale,
ca. 1880
box 1, page 9 recto-1
2019.R.1-9r1
Photographer unidentified, Blidah, la place d'Armes
ca. 1880
box 1, page 9 recto-2
2019.R.1-9r2
Photographer unidentified, Blidah, le jardin public,
ca. 1880
box 1, page 10 recto-1
2019.R.1-10r1
Photographer unidentified, Environs de Blidah, marabout de Sidi-Yacoub au
jardin du Bois-Sacré,
ca. 1880
box 1, page 10 recto-2
2019.R.1-10r2
Photographer unidentified, Environs de Blidah, le ruisseau des Singes, gorges
de la Chiffa,
ca. 1880
box 1, page 11 recto-1
2019.R.1-11r1
Photographer unidentified, Oran,
ca. 1880
Scope and Content Note
View of docks and city.
box 1, page 11 recto-2
2019.R.1-11r2
Photographer unidentified, Oran,
ca. 1880
Scope and Content Note
View of the city.
box 1, page 12 recto-1
2019.R.1-12r1
Photographer unidentified, Oran, fort de Santa Cruz,
ca. 1880
box 1, page 12 recto-2
2019.R.1-12r2
Photographer unidentified, Oran,
ca. 1880
Scope and Content Note
View of the shore.
box 1, page 13 recto-1
2019.R.1-13r1
Photographer unidentified, Oran, place Kléber,
ca. 1880
box 1, page 13 recto-2
2019.R.1-13r2
Photographer unidentified, Tirailleur algérien indigène,
ca. 1880
box 1, page 14 recto-1
2019.R.1-14r1
Photographer unidentified, Mascara, porte d'Oran et marché arabe,
ca. 1880
box 1, page 14 recto-2
2019.R.1-14r2
Karsenty, Elie, Mascara, cimetière arabe,
ca. 1880
Scope and Content Note
Annotation on verso written over photographer's wet stamp: Photographie / Elie /
Karsenty / Mascara.
box 1, page 15 recto-1
2019.R.1-15r1
Leroux, Alexandre, Tentes arabes,
not before 1881
Scope and Content Note
Group of palms with tents behind them. Annotation on verso written over elaborate
Leroux imprint that includes images of medals won in 1880 and 1881.
box 1, page 15 recto-2
2019.R.1-15r2
Photographer unidentified, Tentes arabes,
ca. 1880
Scope and Content Note
Large tent.
box 1, page 16 recto-1
2019.R.1-16r1
Geiser, Jean, Lecture de la lettre (Alger),
not before 1872
Scope and Content Note
Title from a larger copy of this image held in the Ken and Jenny Jacobson collection
of Orientalist photography (item number 2008.R.3-3677). This image is part of an
elaborately staged "Oriental" series of photographs clearly intended for use by
painters.
box 1, page 16 recto-2
2019.R.1-16r2
Geiser, Jean (?), [Two Men Playing Chess at a Low Table],
not before 1872
box 1, page 17 recto-1
2019.R.1-17r1
Photographer unidentified, [Portrait of Two Standing Women with Hanging
Plants behind Them],
ca. 1880
box 1, page 17 recto-2
2019.R.1-17r2
Rigod, A., [Three Standing Musicians],
ca. 1880
Scope and Content Note
Photographer's imprint on verso: Photographie artistique / de Paris / A. Rigod. /
Succursales / à Mascara et Mostaganem.
box 1, page 18 recto-1
2019.R.1-18r1
Rigod, A., [Algerian with Large Straw Hat],
ca. 1880
Scope and Content Note
Rigod's signature is wet stamped on the verso.
box 1, page 18 recto-2
2019.R.1-18r2
Cairol, L., [Portrait of an Algerian Caïd],
not before 1878
Scope and Content Note
Bust portait of a man with several medals pinned to his robes. Photographer's imprint
on verso below his monogram flanked by medals won at 1878 Paris and Oran expositions:
L. Cairol / photographe / boulevard Oudinot / Oran / (Algérie).
box 1, page 19 recto-1
2019.R.1-19r1
Photographer unidentified, Saüda,
1883
Scope and Content Note
Full-length portrait of an Algerian man standing next to a balustrade with a pot of
flowers atop it. Dated on verso: 6 février 1883.
box 1, page 19 recto-2
2019.R.1-19r2
Photographer unidentified, Mauresque,
ca. 1880
box 1, page 20 rectro-1
2019.R.1-20r1
Photographer unidentified, Arabe,
ca. 1875
Scope and Content Note
Full-length portrait of an Algerian man wearing a dark cloak over his robes.
box 1, page 20 rectro-2
2019.R.1-20r2
Cairol, L., [Portrait of a Woman Wearing a Printed Dress],
not before 1878
Scope and Content Note
Photographer's imprint on verso, below his monogram flanked by medals won at 1878
Paris and Oran expositions: L. Cairol / photographe / boulevard Oudinot / Oran /
(Algérie).
box 1, page 21 recto-1
2019.R.1-21r1
Photographer unidentified, [Algerian Standing next to Chair, Cigarette in
Hand],
ca. 1880
box 1, page 21 recto-2
2019.R.1-21r2
Photographer unidentified, [Seated Woman],
ca. 1880
box 1, page 22 recto-1
2019.R.1-22r1
Photographer unidentified, [Woman with Baby on Her Back Kneeling to Cut a
Gourd],
ca. 1880
box 1, page 22 recto-2
2019.R.1-22r2
Photographer unidentified, Arabe sur un chameau,
ca. 1880
box 1, page 23 recto-1
2019.R.1-23r1
Photographer unidentified, [Woman Seated with Hand on Cheek],
ca. 1880
box 1, page 23 recto-2
2019.R.1-23r2
Photographer unidentified, Femme arabe en lieu enfant,
ca. 1880
Scope and Content Note
Woman in profile with bonneted baby on her back.
box 1, page 24 recto-1
2019.R.1-24r1
Photographer unidentified, [Bust Portrait of Man in Dark Garments with
Tasseled Turban],
ca. 1880
box 1, page 24 recto-2
2019.R.1-24r2
Photographer unidentified, [Moorish Woman Wearing Conical Hat],
ca. 1880
box 1, page 25 recto-1
2019.R.1-25r1
Photographer unidentified, [Algerian Man Standing next to a
Window],
ca. 1880
box 1, page 25 recto-2
2019.R.1-25r2
Photographer unidentified, [Woman Wearing Long Dress],
ca. 1880
box 1, page 26 recto-1
2019.R.1-26r1
Photographer unidentified, [Child Standing between Parents],
ca. 1880
box 1, page 26 recto-2
2019.R.1-26r2
Cairol, L., [Woman with Lace Bodice],
not before 1878
Scope and Content Note
Photographer's imprint on verso, below his monogram flanked by medals won at 1878
Paris and Oran expositions: L. Cairol / photographe / boulevard Oudinot / Oran /
(Algérie).
box 1, page 27 recto
2019.R.1-27
Decugis, A., Oran, port et hôpital militaire,
ca. 1880
Scope and Content Note
Cabinet card. Blind stamp on mount recto: A. Decugis Phot.
box 1, page 27 recto-28
verso
2019.R.1-27r28v
Blank pages
box 1, page Back
endpapers
2019.R.1-be
Back endpapers