Call Number:

C0982

Repository:

Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division

Extent:

• 1 box
• 1.5 linear feet

Language:

French and German

Preferred Citation:

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Sebah & Joaillier Photographs Collection, Box and Folder Number; Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

Date:

1880-1890 (inclusive)

Creator:

Sébah & Joaillier and Princeton University. Library. Special Collections

Form:

Albumen prints., Panoramas -- Turkey -- Istanbul -- 19th century., and Photographs -- 19th century.

Abstract:

The Sebah & Joaillier Photographs Collection consists entirely of 19th-century photographs of Constantinople and the surrounding area.

Pascal Sebah (1823-1886) was a leading photographer in Constantinople, selling images of the city, ancient ruins in the surrounding area, portraits, and local people in traditional costumes to tourists. Sebah rose to prominence because of his well-organized compositions, careful lighting, effective posing, attractive models, great attention to detail, and for the excellent print quality produced by his technician, A. Laroche. In 1857, Sebah opened a studio in Constantinople and later opened another branch in Cairo. After Sebah's death, his brother Cosimi ran the studio for a few years. Sebah's son, Johannes (Jean) (1872-1947) then became involved in the business when he was only 16 years old. Jean grew up to become a talented photographer in his own right, but to profit from his father's fame, he signed his photographs J. Pascal Sebah. In 1888, Jean formed a partnership with a Frenchman, Policarpe Joaillier, and thereafter the studio was known as Sebah & Joaillier. The firm of Sebah & Joaillier was named the official photographer of the Sultan, and at his command took photographers all over his empire.

This is an open collection of photographs of Constantinople and its surroundings by Sebah & Joaillier and Pascal Sebah, currently numbering over 45 items. Included is a three-part panorama of the harbor, likely taken from the Galata Tower. The majority of the images are credited on the negative to Sebah & Joaillier, but two are credited to P[ascal] Sebah,and there are four stereographs ("Vues de Constantinople") and an 8-part panorama by him. The other photographs measure approximately 10 x 8 inches, and are mounted on cards (15.5 x 12 inches). Also included four prints of classical sites in Athens (The Erechtheum, the temple of Athēna Nikē, the arch of Hadrian) and one of Mycenae (the Treasury of Atreus); and one black-and-white print of a general view of the monuments of Acropolis (Vue générale des monuments de l'Acropole) bearing the signature of P. Sebah and mounded on card.

This is a growing collection. Currently, the photographs are arranged by accession number, then by photograph number.