Oblong Folio album (ca. 20,5x32 cm or 8 x 12 ½ in). 77 card stock leaves with printed decorative ornaments and borders for photos. With 77 mounted original gelatin silver photos, including three two-part panoramas from ca. 12x33,5 cm (4 ¾ x 13 ¼ in) to ca. 12x29 cm (4 ½ x 11 ¼ in) and three large images ca. 17x23 cm (6 ¾ x 9 in); most photos are ca. 12x17 cm (4 ¾ x 6 ½ in). All images with period ink captions in French on verso of the mounts, three panoramas with additional ink captions on verso; most images with additional ink captions on paper labels mounted in between album leaves. A dozen photos are dated from 1895 to 1903. Period style maroon half morocco with cloth boards; spine with raised bands and gilt-tooled borders; new endpapers. A piece of period paper-backed linen with the title “Madagascar” loosely inserted before the first leaf. Several mounts slightly soiled, with minor tears or chipping on extremities, sa few photos mildly faded, but overall a very good album with interesting photos.

Historically significant extensive collection of well-preserved original photographs dating back to the first years of French rule in Madagascar, following French military intervention on the island in December 1894 – September 1895 and the exile of Queen Ranavalona III (the last sovereign of the Kingdom of Madagascar) in 1897. The album was apparently compiled by a French government official or military administrator – a photo of the Andohalo square in central Antananarivo identifies one of the buildings as “mon bureau.”

One of the earliest images shows Queen Ranavalona III at a kabary gathering on the Andohalo square “de la déclaration de guerre en 1895” - apparently, taken during the French advance to the capital (Antananarivo was captured at the end of September 1895). Another image shows “Place Andohalo en 1895.” Finally, a photo captioned “arrive du 1er convoy de voitures Lefebvre” most likely relates to the arrival of French troops to Antananarivo in September 1895.

Other interesting images include portraits of Queen Ranavalona III, Prime Minister Rainilaiarivony (in office: 1864-1895), General Gallieni (Military Governor of Madagascar in 1896-1905) and his staff in Tamatave (Toamasina) during the island tour of 1901, General Théophile Pennequin (1849-1916) and Queen Binao of the Sakalava People (1867-1927); scenes of arrival of General Gallieni to the Andohalo Square on August 28, 1900, inauguration ceremony of the statue to Jean Laborde on the former Andohalo square, views of the Queen’s throne and filanzane (traditional sedan chair), tomb of the Prime Minister (constructed by Jean Laborde in ca. 1900 in the Isotry neighbourhood of Antananarivo), &c.

Three panoramic views show Antananarivo with “résidence du Gouverneur et Faravohitra” and “Cathédrale et Andohala,” Palace of the Prime Minister with the troops review and the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga. Over a dozen photos of Antananarivo show the Royal Palace, the Palace of the Prime Minister (Andafiavaratra Palace), St. Lawrence Anglican Cathedral Ambohimanoro, Silver Palace (Tranovola), residence of Lt. Colonel Lucciardi, “Chef d’Etat Major,” the monument to the fallen French soldiers, marriage procession of “Capitaine Galy-Ache,” marriage procession of “Mademoiselle Clarac” (with several people identified, including General Joseph Gallieni), parties for European children in the Governor’s residence (Ambohitsorohitra Palace) in 1902 and 1903, a sport festival in November 1902 (featuring General Gallieni and his family, “Capitaine Martin,” “Capitaine Gruss”), &c.

Several photos show Jean Laborde/Andohalo square, taken from different angles, i.e.: “Place Jean Laborde en 1901,” Jardin Laborde with the offices of “Direction d’artillerie” (“Hôtel de l’Artillerie, Hôtel du Chef d’ Et. Mayor, Bureau de l’Officier d’Ordonnance de la Brigade”), southern part with “hotel du Général Vimard, au centre mon bureau, à [… ?] Hotel du Cr. De l’Artillerie,” General Secretariat, a Catholic procession on the square, &c.About thirty images taken across Madagascar include views of Antsahavola (bull fight arena), Ambohimanga (royal tombs), Tsinjoarivo (palace), Mandraka Falls, settlements of Analamazaotra, Maromby, Lefebvre carriages on a bridge, an automobile on the road to Tananarive, Andrakara

(bridge), a party cutting trees on the “eastern route,” Mahatsara (French coastal steamers at a dock), Fianarantsoa, Tamatave/Toamasina (Avenue No. 1), Ile Sainte Marie/Nosy Boraha (Catholic mission), Maroantsetra, Vohemar, Diego-Suarez/Antsiranana (harbour and roadstead), Nossi-Be/Nosy Be (“avenue de manguiers”), Antongombato (food canning factory), Majunga/Mahajanga (general view, a baobab), Fort-Dauphin/Taolagnaro (general view, wreck of French naval cruiser “Laperouse”), Farafangana (doctor’s quarters and consultation hall, King Jabanibeka watching a traditional dance), Mananjary (the Residence and customs house). There are also portraits and scenes with “Rabezanana et sa famille,” “prisonniers d’Antsirabé,” “Ambato – le prince Saidina,” “Le Roi Jabanibeka assistant à des dases indigènes,” Malagasy and a French travellers, being carried in filanzanas (luggage carried behind them), women weaving fabric, men ploughing during an “agricultural competition” in 1902, load carriers crossing the Ikopa River in pirogues, men with a caught caiman, dancers in Ampanotokana, Malagasy bull riders in Marovoay, Sakalava dancers in Analalava, a procession of Antemoro women in Ambohipeno, Bara warriors, Tanala women playing volo (musical instrument), &c.

Overall an important, content-rich original source on the early history of French colonial rule in Madagascar.