Early Photography of China Collection: A highly important collection in development.. Various places, 1850s-1930s

The most valuable collection of early China photography in private hands, the Early Photography of China Collection includes the greatest masterworks of China photography by the foremost photographers working in China in the nineteenth century and the first quarter of the 20th century. The collection has been assembled over the course of many years, and we continue to expand and refine it as worthy photographs and archives become available. This collection, unrivaled in quality and extent in private hands, provides a unique opportunity to own one of the greatest collections of Chinese photography extant. We are eager to acquire important China photographs, from individual objects to albums and collections. We invite you to contact us.

Collection in development

Panoramic Photograph of Cairo.. Cairo, 1870s

This splendid and unusually large panoramic photograph of Cairo combines elements of antiquity, the medieval period, and the modern world. In the distance the pyramids at Giza are visible, while a train races along the Nile River between Cairo and the pyramids.

$8,500

Two photographs: Kutub Minar & Great Arch. Delhi, c. 1866. [and] Great Arch and Iron Pillar. Delhi, 1866

This is a splendid pair of Samuel Bourne views of the Qutb complex in Delhi.

$2,800

Angkor Wat. Angkor, c. 1866-1873

A splendid view of Angkor Wat with deep, rich tones. Émile Gsell accompanied de Lagrée on his expedition to Angkor, where he made a series of dramatic photographs only a few months after John Thomson’s expedition. The French photographer Gsell became the first commercial photographer based in Saigon in 1866. He returned to Angkor in 1873 with the famous expedition led by Louis Delaporte.

$2,200

Photograph signed by Carter and Begin. Robert A. Cumins, 1979

Signed by Carter and Begin. Menachem Begin was awarded the 1978 Nobel Peace Prize, together with Anwar Sadat, “for their work in laying a foundation for future peace” in the Middle East. The framework, reached at Camp David, was facilitated by Jimmy Carter. The Nobel award called Carter “the masterbuilder responsible for the bridge that had to be built between Egypt and Israel.”

$2,200

Vietnamese Musicians. Saigon, c. late 1860s

The French photographer Émile Gsell became the first commercial photographer based in Saigon following his first expedition to photograph Angkor in 1866.

$1,500

Yediot Ma’ariv. “The Face of the Mandate from Beginning to End, Illustrated Supplement for May 15, 1948.”. Jerusalem, May 15, 1948

Ma’ariv was the most widely read newspaper in Israel for the two decades following the newspaper’s founding in 1948. This photo supplement was printed on the day of the declaration of the establishment of the State of Israel and attached as a “Sabbath Supplement” to that day’s issue.

$1,200