1 album (78 photographic prints) : albumen ; 21 x 28 cm, and smaller.
Collection:
Rare Books and Manuscripts
Copyright Status:
Copyright Undetermined
Related Content:
View a selection of digital images in the Yale Center for British Art's online catalogue
https://collections.britishart.yale.edu/catalog/orbis:9607404
Classification:
Photographs
Notes:
In the Abyssinian Campaign of 1867-1868, Great Britain dispatched a force of 16,000 men, led by Sir Robert Napier, to cross over 400 miles of mountainous country (in present-day Ethiopia) to take the Emperor's fortress at Magdala and free British captives. To document the campaign for the British public, the Royal Engineers sent two sets of photographic equipment to Abyssinia--each weighing 1300 pounds--though only one was actually used. The photographic endeavor was supervised in the field by Sergeant John Harrold and six assistants. Harrold's team arrived at Annesley Bay on 5 December 1867, and was attached to the 10th Company Royal Engineers. It is not known how many photographs were made in total, but sets of 78 albumen prints were eventually chosen and supplied to select military officers, government officials, and public institutions. Issued with the 78 prints was a letterpress "List of negatives," which could be cut up and used as captions. The set of photographs comprises the earliest surviving body of work by photographers sent to accompany a full-scale military operation.
Contents:
1-3. Panoramic view, Annesley Bay -- 4-6. Panoramic view, Zoulla camp -- 7. Devil's Staircase, (Sooroo) -- 8-10. Panoramic view, Senafe -- 11. Rock at Goon-Goona and naval brigade -- 12. Waterfall at Goon-Goona -- 13. Goon-Goona Church (sketched by Mr. Holmes) -- 14. Debra-Damo (sketched by Mr. Holmes) -- 15. Focada camp and rock -- 16. Focada church -- 17. Addigerat tower -- 18. Addigerat church -- 19. Addigerat camp, after thunder storm -- 20. Martello tower, near Adabaga -- 21. Martello tower, near Adabaga (sketched by Mr. Holmes) -- 22. Brick fortress, near Adabaga -- 23. Antalo village -- 24. Antalo church -- 25. Valley of Meshek -- 26. Alagi Amba, near Attala -- 27. Bolago camp -- 28-29. Panoramic view of mountain at Bolago -- 30. Ashangi Lake -- 31. Village on hill, near Ashangi -- 32. Tellari River, near Dildee -- 33. Tacazzee River -- 34. Djedda River -- 35. Ascent of Djedda (sketched by Mr. Simpson) -- 36. View of north scarp of Djedda -- 37. Upper scarp of north bank of Bashelo River -- 38. Selassee and Fahla (sketched by Major Bagrie) -- 39. Exterior of Magdala -- 40. Magdala (sketched by Major. Bagrie) -- 41-42. Panoramic view of Kokit-Bur Gate, Magdala -- 43. King Theodore's house, Magdala -- 44. Treasury and mint, Magdala -- 45. Church showing Theodore's grave, Magdala -- 46. Interior of Magdala, showing the Selasee in distance -- 47. Kafir-Bur Gate, Magdala (exit) -- 48. Magdala in flames (sketched by Major Bagrie) -- 49. Sir R. Napier and staff.
Subject Terms:
Napier, Robert Cornelis, 1810–1890 -- Portraits. | Speedy, Tristram Charles Sawyer -- Portraits. | Theodore II, Negus of Ethiopia, -1868 -- Portraits. | Baigrie, Robert, 1829–1877. | Harrold, John, Sergeant. | Holmes, Richard R. (Richard Rivington), 1835–1911. | Simpson, William, 1823–1899. | Ellis, Tristram J. | Great Britain. Army -- Pictorial works. | Abyssinian Expedition (1867–1868) -- Pictorial works. | Magdala, Battle of, Āmba Maryam, Ethiopia, 1868 -- Pictorial works. | Ethiopia -- History -- 1490–1889 -- Pictorial works. | Āmba Maryam (Ethiopia) -- Pictorial works.