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, Item front cover

2019.R.1-fc Front cover

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 recto

2019.R.1-1r Blank page

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

box 1, page Back cover

2019.R.1-bc Back cover