Call Number:

C0887

Repository:

Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division

Extent:

• 5 boxes
• 10 linear feet

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Dimitris Constantine Photographs of Greece, Box and Folder Number; Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

Date:

1850s-1870s (inclusive)

Creator:

Konstantinou, Dimitris, fl. 1858-1875

Form:

Photographs., Albumen prints -- 19th century., and Photographs -- 19th century.

Abstract:

Consists of assorted photographs of Athens and other sites in Greece taken by the Greek photographer Dimitris Constantine (fl. 1850s).

Constantine [Dimitris Konstantinou] was the first photographer to be associated with the Hellenic Archaeological Society, for which he photographed antiquities in Athens and objects in the Society's collection. Many of his photographs were sold in albums to foreign visitors to Greece.

The collection consists of a numbered series of 73 large albumen photographs of Athens and other places in Greece by Dimitris Constantine [Dimitris Konstantinou]. Constantine was the first photographer to be associated with the Hellenic Archaeological Society, for which he photographed antiquities in Athens and objects from the Society's collection. Many of his photographs were sold in albums to foreign visitors to Greece. These photographs were assembled for Sir Horace Rumbold (1829-1913), British Ambassador to Greece, who served in Athens in 1862, 1866-1867, and 1884-1888.

The photographs all measure about 11″ x 14½″ and are numbered with brief captions. Many are signed either "D. Constantin" or "D. Costantin." All are mounted on mat board (24½" x 18½") which have been blind-stamped "D. Constantine, Photographer, 20 Eolus Street, Athens." The mats are also blind-stamped in the lower right corner with a caduceus and the initials "E.B." More than 40 of the photographs pertain to classical sites in Athens, including the Acropolis and the Parthenon; eleven photographs show details of friezes and sculptures; places include the Pass of Daphne, Eleusis, Phyle, Syros, Aegina, Mycenae, Corinth, and there are five photographs of Corfu, one showing the ship H.M.S. Orlando. There is one photograph of the British Legation building where Sir Rumbold was housed during his stay in Greece.

Also present is the original container of the photographs, a blue morocco-covered brass bound box with Sir Rumbold's crest engraved on a brass plate on the lid.

The collection also contains an additional albumen photograph by Constantine, not part of the numbered series, of Theseion [Hephaisteion] in Athens. This photograph measures approximately 11¼ x 15¼″, and is mounted on mat board (16 ¼″ x 25 ¼″).

The photographs are arranged in numerical order; the original case and additions follow.