Madagascar

réf. PF25 — Oblong Elephant Folio ca. 43 x 35 cm or 17 x 13 ¾ in. 26 double paper leaves eight blank one split. 84 mounted gelatin silver photographs from ca. 16 x 12 cm 6 ½ x 4 ½ in to 11.5 x 8.5 cm 4 ½ x 3 ¼ in. 36 images with period French pencil captions on mounts; one image captioned in negative. Period brown cloth album with blind-stamped borders on the boards. Boards and mounts slightly waved; mounts with water stains on extremities; a few photographs mildly faded but overall a very good album of interesting strong photos. A collection of 84 gelatin silver photographs showing Madagascar including portraits of local rulers nobility and Malagasy people and views of their villages at the turn of the 20th century. The French protectorate of Madagascar the Malagasy Protectorate was declared in 1882 in an attempt to control the country’s foreign affairs and justified by land claims on surrounding islands. Sovereigns of the Merina Kingdom Kingdom of Madagascar disputed the declaration and rejected French demands and interference. In 1895 French forces occupied the capital city of Antananarivo and imprisoned Queen Ranavalona III 1861-1917 and Prime Minister Rainilaiarivony 1828-1896. Shortly after the Merina Kingdom formally became a French protectorate. In 1897 it was annexed and became French Madagascar. Nine photographs are portraits identified in the captions as being local rulers or their family in mostly northern and central Madagascar. They include the queen of the Sakalava people Binao 1867-1927 r. 1881-1927; the king of the Antankarana people Tsialana II ca. 1843-1924 r. 1883-1924 with his son and brothers; Betsileo princesses; the family of “Prince Ramaharo”; “Morozy ancien roi former king Sakalava” and “Vazoho ancien roi Sakalava”; and the “king” or “chief” of Beleny. Two portraits also show the “young princes” Abdallah and Halid of Anjouan established as a French protectorate in 1886 became part of the French colony of Madagascar in 1908 gained independence as part of the Comoros in 1975 sons of “Prince Salim” and their tutor. The caption also includes their dates of birth. Over 50 photographs are general portraits of Malagasy people. Over 10 are captioned “Katzaby femme Betsimisaraka”; “Yalman femme de Ste. Marie”; “Antanibe – groupe des femmes Sakalava”; “Majunga Sakalava Mahajam” etc. Portraits include those of men and women wearing traditional dress and hairstyles a man dressed as a warrior a prisoner with a restraining device around his neck and a group of male dancers for the “circumcision celebration” a tradition among the Sakalava. Other photographs in the album include scenes from village life building a hut one woman doing another’s hair a market in Ambositra etc.; views of Ambositra a Tanala village and a Betsileo village; a betsabetsa a type of rum mill; and Malagasy people panning for gold in a river. There are also photographs showing a Betsimisaraka tomb in Andevoranto an Antambaoaka tomb in Mananjary a Betsileo tomb the interior of a tomb in Antananarivo and a commemorative stele in Betafo. Three photographs show an event possibly at a school featuring musicians dancers children and Malagasy youth dressed in military uniform. Overall an interesting and lively collection of photographs showing Madagascar at the turn of the 20th century. hardcover