Artist Index: Hammerschmidt, Wilhelm

Views of Egypt. 1860s. 2 albumen prints mounted to board (corners bumped, time-stained in edges). Each circa 24 x 31 cm (38 x 45 cm). Signed and numbered by the photographer in the negative in lower left corner; with title printed below the image on the mount.

Born in Berlin, Wilhelm Hammerschmidt was an established professional photographer, when he relocated to Cairo circa 1860. There, he founded the Hammerschmidt shop, a photographic studio and supply store that quickly became a hub for both local and visiting photographers. In 1861, he exhibited ten views of Egypt at the Société Française de Photographie in Paris, and became a member the following year. Hammerschmidt specialized in architectural views, costume portraits, and ethnographic studies, which he presented to international audiences, notably at the Exposition Universelle in Paris, in 1867. In addition to his extensive work in Egypt, he also photographed in Syria and Nubia. The photographs in this group include a striking view of the Nile cataracts near Aswan and the Tomb of the Califs on the outskirts of Cairo. – Some scuff marks, some fading in edges as well as traces of silver mirroring in shadow areas, otherwise in very good condition.

Selected views of Egypt. 1860s. 7 albumen prints. Each circa 21,5 x 27,5 cm. Each signed and numbered by the photographer in the negative in lower left/right corner. Each mounted to board (time-stained in edges, some foxing/soiling), some with title printed below the image on the mount.

Born in Berlin, Wilhelm Hammerschmidt was already a professional photographer when he settled in Cairo, Egypt, around 1860. There he established the Hammerschmidt shop, where he sold photographic materials to other early photographers. Hammerschmidt exhibited ten views of Egypt at the Société Française de Photographie in 1861 before becoming a member the following year. He made costume and ethnographic studies, exhibiting those at the Exposition Universelle Paris in 1867. Hammerschmidt also made photographs in Syria and Nubia. – Some surface scuff marks, some with foxing spots, some fading in edges, otherwise strong prints and in good condition.

Selected views of Egypt. 1860s. 12 albumen prints. Each circa 22 x 27,5 cm. 10 photos signed and numbered by the photographer in the negative in lower left/right corner. Each mounted to board (time-stained in edges, small paper loss, some foxing), some with title printed below the image on the mount.

Born in Berlin, Wilhelm Hammerschmidt was already a professional photographer when he settled in Cairo, Egypt, around 1860. There he established the Hammerschmidt shop, where he sold photographic materials to other early photographers. Hammerschmidt exhibited ten views of Egypt at the Société Française de Photographie in 1861 before becoming a member the following year. He made costume and ethnographic studies, exhibiting those at the Exposition Universelle Paris in 1867. Hammerschmidt also made photographs in Syria and Nubia. The views in this group show the second pyramid at Gizeh, Tree of the Virgin, Avenue to Choubra, the New English Hotel, Cairo, general views of Cairo, Sultan Barkouk, Tombs of the Caliphs, Citadelle of Cairo, Coptic houses. – Some surface scuff marks, some with foxing spots, some fading in edges, otherwise strong prints with good contrasts and in good, several in very good condition with strong contrasts.