Fotoalbum – Fine Photo Album of Bohemia (Czech Republic) 1888–1889 – Carlsbad (Karlovy Vary) – 1888

Fine Photo Album of Bohemia (Czech Republic) 1888–1889With 30 Original Platinotypes – Attributed to Alexander Seik or Studio Karel Bellmann, PragueSouvenir de Séjour en Bohême 1888–89
(Souvenir of a Stay in Bohemia 1888–89)A fine, privately assembled travel album featuring 30 original platinum print photographs (platinotypes), documenting a spa visit to Bohemia in the years 1888–1889. The photographs include sweeping town views and detailed studies of spa architecture, rivers, churches, bridges, castles, and natural landmarks in and around Karlsbad (Karlovy Vary), Giesshübl (Kyselka), Elbogen (Loket), and Dallwitz (Dalovice).Each photograph is mounted on burgundy cardstock with gilt-stamped captions in French, and the album opens with a studio portrait of Mr. & Mme Albéric Goethals, presumably the album’s owners. The materials, captioning, and layout all suggest it was made to commemorate their extended stay in Bohemia.The platinotypes are matte, tonally rich, and printed on uncoated paper, reflecting the hallmarks of the platinum process: wide tonal range, warm brown-black hue, and complete absence of gloss. The visual and technical quality strongly suggests a Prague-based photographic studio, likely that of Karel Bellmann or possibly Alexander Seik (Tábor/Prague) — both active in the 1880s and known for topographic photography and early art printing processes. No studio credit... lees verder bij Catawiki