EXQUISITE FOLDING PANORAMA OF LATE 19TH-CENTURY JERUSALEM BY ACCLAIMED PHOTOGRAPHER TANCREDE DUMAS

DUMAS, Tancrede. No. 2 Jerusalem Panorama. Beyreuth [Beirut]: Tancrede Dumas, 1889. Three albumen prints mounted and joined on patterned paper with slits (likely to hold photographs); entire piece measures 37-3/4 by 9-1/2 inches unfolded. $4800.

Beautiful large three-part panorama of late 19th-century Jerusalem, with labels for the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Hurva Synagogue, the Tomb of David, the Holy Sepulchre, the Garden of Gethsemane, and more.

This striking panorama depicts the view looking into Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives just outside the city walls, including many major historical and biblical sights from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, to the tombs of David and Absalom. The photographer, Tancrede Dumas—although born and trained in Florence—is today best known for his work in the Middle East. In 1860, he opened a studio in Beirut and specialized in albumen print portraits of local characters as well as images of interest to religious pilgrims such as this one.^. According to information from University of Pennsylvania's Lenkin Family Collection of Photography, this panorama was likely first published between 1880 and 1882.

Slightest rubbing to edges, a few very faint spots to images, paper backing beginning to separate from photographs, reinforcement to joints. A lovely and desirable item.