#PC77
Ca. 1890s
Oblong Folio (ca. 26.5 x 35 cm or 10 ¼ x 13 ¾ in). 6 card stock leaves. 12 albumen photographs from ca. 28 x 21 cm (11 x 8 ¼ in) to 24.5 x 21.5 cm (9 ½ x 8 ½ in). 11 photographs with period ink captions on mounts. Period-style green half morocco, mounts waved and age-toned, but overall a very good album of interesting strong photos.
An attractive collection of large early albumen photographs of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Three photos are signed in negative by Skeen & Co. The photographs of Colombo include: two views of the harbour including the breakwater and a waterfront pavilion; a view of a waterfront, possibly near the mouth of the Kelani River, with houses in the background; a pontoon bridge crossing the Kelani River with some people swimming nearby; Chatham Street facing the Colombo Lighthouse/Clock Tower; a busy main road with signs reading “Britannia Restaurant” and “Miller & Co. Wine, Spirit and General Importers”; a religious procession; a Hindu temple near Pettah; two early views of the Mount Lavinia neighbourhood; and an oruwa, a traditional Sinhalese outrigger boat. Additionally, there is a portrait of a knife-sharpener, likely Middle Eastern or Egyptian.
Overall, an interesting album with early large photographs of Sri Lanka during British colonial rule.
List of captions (spelling original): Colombo Breakwater; Vue de Colombo; Colombo; Colombo Débarcadère; Colombo Chatham Street; Colombo Rue principale; Procession à Colombo; Pagode Boudhitte à Colombo; Route de Mont Lavinien à Colombo; Mont Lavinien Colombo; Bakau indigène à Colombo.
