Cammas, Henry, and André Lefèvre

FIRST EDITION, large 8vo (228 x 150mm.), LARGE PAPER, PRESENTATION COPY, INSCRIBED BY CAMMAS on the half title: "Hommage, Respectueux et reconnaissant à son excellence König Bey / Henry Cammas, le 17 avril 1863", half-title, title printed in red, blue and black, 102 ALBUMEN PRINTS (average 112 x 85mm., or the reverse), each mounted on card, recto only, tissue guards, contemporary red morocco-backed cloth, spine in five compartments with raised bands gilt, gilt edges, a few images with fading or stains (but overall the photographs with good dark tones), light spotting to text, spine slightly torn at head, extremities slightly rubbed

Koenig Bey (1802-1865), presentation inscription by Cammas (see above)

Nissan N. Perez. Focus East: early photography in the Near East 1839-1885 (New York, 1988), p. 146

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

AN IMPORTANT PRESENTATION COPY OF THIS RARE PHOTOBOOK ON EGYPT, INSCRIBED BY THE PHOTOGRAPHER CAMMAS TO HIS PATRON KOENIG BEY, AND ILLUSTRATED WITH MORE PHOTOGRAPHS THAN ALMOST ANY OTHER KNOWN COPY.

"Henry Cammas (1813-88) was the protégé of the Orientalist and explorer Koenig Bey and was recommended by him to Said Pasha of Egypt. This no doubt facilitated his work in the country, and it was quite natural for him to "respectfully" dedicate his ensuing publication to Said Pasha. He was a corresponding member of the Institute d'Egypte as well as of the Société Française de Photographie.

Cammas spent nine months in Egypt in 1860, together with his friend André Le Fèvre, who wrote the text. They lived on a boat on the Nile and photographed sites along the banks. Cammas reported having exposed and brought back one hundred waxed-paper large-size negatives which he showed at a meeting of the Société Française de Photographie in early 1861. Although he was still using the waxed-paper negatives, Cammas's photographs are extremely sharp and show a wealth of detail. He most probably used this system - even though it was becoming obsolete - because of its light weight and easy handling, compared to the glass plate." (Nissan N. Perez).

Mathieu Auguste Koenig, later known as Koenig Bey (1802-65), had left his native France in 1820 to travel to Egypt, touring the Middle East before settling in Cairo in 1827. He was appointed tutor to Muhammed Ali's children in 1834. Soon afterwards he was awarded the title Bey and was put in charge of the Translation Office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. When Cammas and Lefèvre came to Egypt Koenig Bey had become an important and influential figure due to his position in the Egyptian court.

Lefèvre's excellent account includes chapters on ancient and modern Egypt, biographical notes on Koenig Bey, detailed information about daily life during their travels, Egyptian monuments, and practical advice for other photographers and travellers.

The number of photographs issued with this work varies from copy to copy, with most appearing to contain from 87 to 94 photographs, although the Royal Library in Sweden appears to hold a copy with 104. In 2011 a standard paper copy (190mm.) with 94 photographs in a separate volume from the text, was sold at auction in Paris (Gros & Delettrez, 23 June 2011, lot 141, €180,000 EUR).