Early photographs of Tatars
Publication: [Astrakhan, early 1870s].
Fine portraits of three people from Tatarstan, in traditional dress. Rare to find such early photographs of Tatar people, and in such fresh condition.
£650
In stock
Three early and relatively large portraits of Tatar people taken by Vishnevskii (fl.1860s-90s), with his fine blind stamp ‘Svetopis Vishnevskago’. These portraits, of two ‘Tatar women’ and one ‘Tatar man’, may well have been included in his album Astrakhan published in 1873.
Working in his studio in Astrakhan from 1861, he was one of the first to produce photographic albums with views and characters of the province. Vishnevskii presented one of such albums to Tsar Alexander II during his visit to Astrakhan in 1871 and in return received a diamond ring from the Tsar. Vishnevskii’s studio was a successful business, which after his death was run by his wife up until 1911.
Being an important historical record, Vishnevskii’s portraits and views of Astrakhan constitute a significant part of the collection of the State Astrakhan Historical Museum.
Bibliography
Cf. E. Barkhatova, Russkaia Svetopis, p. 362 and ill. p. 173
Item number
1814
Three albumen prints pasted on original cards, Russian printed captions below, two bearing photographer’s credit; dimensions: app. 15 x 10.5 cm.
Condition
Two prints have minor scratches, overall in appealing, fresh condition.
Impressive example of the first edition, with a signed binding featuring two 1767 Russian coins. One of the greatest 20th-c. books on Eastern Russia, Siberia, and the historical relations with their neighbours. A fascinating and beautiful production.
LEVCHINE, Alexis de [Aleksei Iraklevich LEVSHIN, also LIOVSHIN]
Description des hordes et des steppes des Kirghiz-Kazaks ou Kirghiz-Kaïssaks
The first extensive study of the people of Kazakhstan: first French edition, with the same illustrations as the original Russian edition; including a folding map of the area, which was very rare at the time. This is the copy which belonged to 'Le Baron de Barante', the dedicatee of the translation.
Fresh example of this classic travel account through Southern Russia, Ukraine and the Crimea - richly illustrated with original hand-colour. In a sturdy modern binding.
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