by Latin America, Photography
[Latin America] [Early Photography] Extensive collection of 240 silver gelatin photos from the travels of a gentleman and family and friends to several locations circa 1900-1920s including West Indies (Jamaica), Mexico, Bermuda, Cuba, White Sulphur Springs, WV, North Adams, MA (Fairgrounds), Bennington, VT, Lakewood and Point Pleasant, NJ, Los Angeles, and more. Photos measure 3.25 x 2.25" - 8" x 5". Most photographs have an inscription detailing the location, identification, or comment. The photos are all adhered mounted in a 15 x 9.5" sized black cover album with partial string spine. The first couple images are of the album owners' travels on a ship to the West Indies, one of a group of "coolies", as captioned, and landscapes of the island terrain with captions such as "Ocean from my window", and "Vanilla Plantation." It then shows many images of the Caribbean locals in small and large scale photos, one image shows two local men in breezy cotton clothing smiling and standing in front of a grass and reed built hut, another shows a group of children, one little boy has a merchant's tray strapped to his neck. A photo shows a local man in cotton clothes and a newsboy cap climbing a palm tree with the caption "Climbing coconut tree for coconuts." Two large scale photos depict two groups of local Indo-Caribbean people likely of the Jahaji indentured laborers taken from India to the islands by Europeans. Two other large scale photos show people of Afro-Caribbean origin, a man and a woman leaning on each other solemnly captioned "Loving Couple", and a group of woman, child, and male laborers on a sugar cane plantation. The album continues into Mexico, showing market scenes in Guanajuato, buildings, churches, streets, landscapes and locals in Cueranavaca, San Juan Teotihuacán, and Zacatecas. Images of locals in sombreros and sarapes are shown selling flowers, enchiladas, walking the bricked streets with burros and livestock. A full page is dedicated to a bull fight. One large image shows the Pyramid of the Sun with tourists scaling the sides. The next series of photos shows the owner and his family in Florida, Cuba, and Bermuda. One Havana street image shows a crowd of people and a "Cuban carrying pig to market." Another photo shows a young Cuban boy selling a lobster to a well dressed tourist woman, likely part of the owner's group. In Bermuda we see a man named Henry posed with many locals, a young boy native to Hamilton, Bermuda, and posed in front of a window of pretty young local women. Another photo shows a scene of a pony pulled wagon filled with men and women traveling down a dirt city road. About ten more pages show the owner and his family in various parts of the United States . Most photos were taken personally but some are printed from others including H.S. Duperly, whose family who was one of the earliest photographers in West Indies and Jamaica and other photos from C.B. Waite, one of the most famous early photographers in Mexico. But most were taken by the gentleman who compiled the album and those traveling with him. He is featured in many photos and he was named Edward Nahon. The family eventually became known for the The Nahon Furniture, Co., based in NYC. A vast collection of vernacular images from Latin America and parts of the United States after the industrial revolution. Many photos have inscriptions en verso but are adhered to pages. Minor fading to very few photos, album has minor wear, overall very good condition.
(Inventory #: 20184)
(818) 224-4555
