Scope and Content of Collection

Twenty-two black-and-white and color lithographs of Algeria made in the 1840s emphasize indigenous and colonial architecture in Algiers, Constantine, Stora, Philippeville (Skikda), Blida, and Oran.

Twelve images of Algiers include panoramic views of the city taken from the ocean, the Casbah, and the port. There are views of the Casbah from outside the city walls, views of the port, and a view of the city walls and fortresses from the ocean. Buildings depicted include the Djamaՙa el Djedid (Mosque of the Fishermen's Wharf) and the Abder-Rahman mosques, buildings along the narrow rue d'Anfreville, and the interior of an Algerian home with men smoking in a trellis-covered courtyard. The European presence is evident in images of Europeans shopping at a market on the Place Mahon, French soldiers outside the city walls, and in a view of the equestrian statue in the Place du Gouvernement commemorating the French conquest of Algeria.

Six views of Constantine and environs include panoramas of the city, buildings on a cliff above a wooded hillside; an aqueduct running through a gorge; a local encampment and market; and waterfalls in the Oued al Kébir (Rhumel) river.

Other images include a view of a troop of French soldiers marching in formation at the port village of Stora; a view of Philippeville (Skikda) emphasizing French buildings on the cliffs; a view of Blida showing the Place du marché and surrounding buildings; and a panoramic view of Oran from the water.

Twenty-one of the lithographs were made after daguerreotypes by the French photographer, Théodore Bettinger. One lithograph is after a drawing by the painter Jules-Michel Chandelier. The lithography was executed by Henri Walter (15 images); Henri Walter and Aubrun (one image); and Jean-Jacques Champin (six images).

Editor: Wild éditeur, 15, rue de la Banque (Place de la Bourse) Paris. Lithography: Lith. de J. Rigo, Lebref et Cie. Printer (variously): Dubos frères et Marest à Alger; Imp: Decan, 7, rue Richer; or: Imp. Lemercier à Paris.

Individual print titles are from the captions printed on the mounts. Lithographer and printer credits printed on the sheets are recorded in the individual scope and content notes.

Arrangement

Arranged in a single series:
Series I. Vues d'Algérie prises au daguerréotype, 1847.