Oblong Quarto (ca. 22.5 x 28 cm or 8 ¾ x 11 in). Eight black cardstock leaves with tissue guards. 30 mounted gelatin silver photographs ca. 13 x 8 cm (5 ¼ x 3 in). 23 images with period print captions on paper labels attached to mounts. Period green pebbled cloth album with gilt-tooled generic title “Photographs” on front board. Boards slightly rubbed on extremities; one photo with a crease, but overall a very good album with interesting photos.

An interesting collection of thirty original gelatin silver photographs showing Takoradi Harbour and other locations on the Gold Coast, as well as several views of Sierra Leone and Gambia, in 1929, shortly after its opening. The Gold Coast was a British colony that gained independence in 1957 and is now known as Ghana. Takoradi Harbour was built by the British colonial government in the hope that it would stimulate economic growth in the colony.

Several photos in the album show Takoradi Harbour, including the main wharf, the breakwater, transit sheds, and the railroads leading to the harbour. Two photos have captions that note poor construction of the railroads: “showing defective laying” and “showing slate and types of broken granite used is most unsatisfactory.” Other photographs in the album include views of Sekondi Harbour, Elmina Castle, Cape Coast Castle, and Christiansborg Castle on the Gold Coast and views of Sierra Leone and Gambia from the water.

Overall, a well-preserved collection showing Takoradi Harbour shortly after its opening.

See also:

Plageman, Nate. “Colonial Ambition, Common Sense Thinking, and the Making of Takoradi Harbor, Gold Coast.” History in Africa 40 (2013): 317–52. (link).

Meredith, David. “The Construction of Takoradi Harbour in the Gold Coast 1919 to 1930: A Case Study in Colonial Development and Administration.” Transafrican Journal of History 5, no. 1 (1976): 134–49. (link). 

A list of captions (spelling original): Takoradi, Part of Contractor’s Construction Camp, 3 Feb. 1929; Takoradi, Water Tower and covered Reservoir, 3 Feb. 1929; General View from near Resident Engineer’s bungalow. Cutting (1), 3 Feb. 1929; Another view: cutting (2); Another view (3); Another view (4); Lee Breakwater from approach road to Resident Engineer’s bungalow, 2 Feb. 1929; 2 new tugs and coal crane (from Sekondi) at future coal wharf. 3 Feb. 1929; S.S. “Saint George” loading at Main Wharf by own derricks. 3 Feb 1929; Gable end of one of main Transit Sheds. 3 Feb. 1929; Near view of derricks loading ship at main wharf, 3 Feb. 1929; Outer end of Lee Breakwater Site for main Wharf extension, 3 Feb. 1929; Main and Lighter Moorings viewed from Main Wharf, 2 Feb. 1929; Railway crossing: 80 lb new rails, showing defective laying. 3 Feb. 1929; Magazine Road. 10 ft. wide, waterbound rolled 3ft. metal, showing slate and types of broken granite used is most unsatisfactory. 3 Feb. 1929; Takoradi to Accra by road. Sekondi Harbour from Fort, 4 Feb. 1929; Elmina Castle, reconstructed by Dutch. 4 Feb. 1929; West Shore End of Ferry over Pra (Gold Coast), 4 Feb. 1929; Cape Coast Castle, built by English in 1662; Christiansborg Castle, Accra, reconstructed by the Danes, 1657; Sierra Leone; Gambia; Gold Coast.