Panama—French Panama Canal Company | Album of 119 photographs, 1880s

Panama—French Panama Canal Company

Album of 119 photographs showing construction of the Panama Canal, 1880s

Oblong folio (276 x 410mm.), 119 albumen prints (188 x 240mm., or the reverse), mounted on card, recto and verso, contemporary black half calf, cloth boards, later label on upper cover, some fading or stains (especially to first few images), occasional surface wear or tears, binding repaired and refurbished

Rare photographs documenting the efforts of the French Panama Canal Company (Compagnie Universelle du Canal Interocéanique de Panama) to construct a canal across Panama. The company was founded in 1880 by the French diplomat Ferdinand de Lesseps and was liquidated in 1889.

The images include landscape views, railways, steam locomotives, mechanical steam shovels and excavators, dredging boats, views of Colon before and after the fire of 1885, construction workers with wagons, local people at worship, Colon hospital and church, street scenes, construction at Matachin, the headquarters of the French Panama Canal Company (built 1874-75) in Panama City, and Panama Cathedral.