| Title |
Construction of the Aswan Dam |
| Reference |
GBR/0115/Y3041B |
| Covering Dates |
1902–1914 |
| Extent and Medium |
68 images |
| Repository |
Cambridge University Library: Royal Commonwealth Society Library |
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| Content and context |
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Members of the Williamson family moved from Cyprus to Egypt at the beginning of the twentieth century and their activities there included work on the Aswan Dam.
This collection of photographs by D. S. George, F. Fiorillo and G. Lekegian provides an important record of the construction work on the dam, with great detail discernible in some of the larger pictures. In addition there are photographs reflecting aspects of British social life in Egypt (plates 40-60) and the outbreak of war in 1914 (plates 61-67).
Given by Major H.M. Williamson.
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Access and Use
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Please cite as Cambridge University Library: Royal Commonwealth Society Library, Construction of the Aswan Dam, Y3041B |
| Further information |
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Indexed
This item level description was entered by NE and MJC using the original typescript catalogue.
This collection is available on microfiche: Africa, fiche numbers 14-15.
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| Index Terms |
| Africa |
| Aswan |
| Aswan |
| Egypt |
| Upper Egypt |
| RCS/Y3041B contains: |
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1
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From West Bank looking East. 292 x 143 mm. A view looking along the length of the dam a month before the official opening showing the reservoir on the south side filled with water and some of the sluice gates in operation. In the foreground is a section of navigation locks which bypass the dam, with operating machinery in position.
Creator: George, D S. |
7 Nov. 1902 |
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2
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South Side of Dam from West Bank. 291 x 241 mm. A view showing the dam at a slightly earlier stage of construction than Y3041B/1, with work still in progress on the roadway across the dam and with the navigation locks in the foreground still at the quarrying stage. The reservoir side of the dam is virtually empty, with no water remaining from the floods of 1901, which were exceptionally low: from the builders' point of view this was welcome since it allowed work on the dam to start earlier in the year than was usual. Photograph by.
Creator: George, D S. |
29 May 1902 |
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3
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Dam from East. 291 x 243 mm. A view looking down onto and along the top of the dam shortly after the official opening with the reservoir, at left, filled with flood water.
Creator: George, D S. |
1 Apr. 1903 |
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4
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West Part of Dam looking north, from Coror 22/5/06. 283 x 230 mm. A distant view of the western section of the dam with the small houses and gardens of Coror in the foreground.
Creator: Fiorillo, L, fl 1870-1889, photographer. |
22 May 1906 |
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5
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North Side of Dam looking east 23/12/02. 291 x 241 mm. A view from below the north side of the dam showing a torrent of water pouring from below sluice gates, with two Europeans standing on a rock in the foreground. The figure on the left is probably Captain (later Sir) Henry G. Lyons (1864-1944) Director-General of the Survey of Egypt.
Creator: George, D S. |
23 Dec. 1902 |
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6
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East part of Dam from north. 285 x 232 mm. A view showing a section of the eastern end of the dam with a small settlement of houses in the foreground (probably the residence of European engineers and supervisors). In the distance the partially submerged island of Philae can just be seen.
Creator: Fiorillo, L, fl 1870-1889, photographer. |
22 May 1906 |
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7
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[Unidentified house]. 283 x 225 mm. A view showing a substantial house at the summit of a slope faced with dressed granite. Probably the residence of a European dam manager, it seems to be the same building seen in the background to Y3041B/6 (but without the extensions seen there). Photographer unknown (George or Fiorillo). |
1902–1906 |
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8
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View from above navigation channel. 291 x 243 mm. A view looking down onto the navigation locks and across the completed dam from the west bank with the as yet empty reservoir at the right. A photograph taken a few months before the official opening. Photographer unknown. (George or Fiorillo). |
22 July 1902 |
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9
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From West bank looking east. 291 x 243 mm. A view taken on the same day as Y3041B/1 looking along the northern face of the dam, with some sluices in operation and the reservoir full on the south side of the dam.
Creator: George, D S. |
7 Nov. 1902 |
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10
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[Navigation Channels, Aswan]. 291 x 242 mm. A view looking along the canal which bypasses the dam towards a set of lockgates. Photographer unknown (George or Fiorillo). |
1902–1906 |
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11
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Assuan Reservoir, March 1st, 1906. 208 x 229 mm. A view looking down from the dam onto work in progress in a section of the reservoir. In the crowded scene labourers are at work quarrying granite either for the strengthening operation on the northern bed of the dam or in connection with the heightening of the dam which took place between 1907 and 1912.
Creator: Fiorillo, L, fl 1870-1889, photographer. |
1 Mar. 1906 |
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12
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View from above navigation channel. 287 x 229 mm. A view looking along part of the northern wall of the dam from the west bank, with the full reservoir in the background and water pouring from the sluices over the newly constructed masonry aprons.
Creator: Fiorillo, L, fl 1870-1889, photographer. |
17 May 1906 |
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13
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From West Bank looking East. 280 x 231 mm. A view looking along the dam showing the newly constructed aprons beneath the sluices (compare with Y3041B/1). In the foreground stands a massive pile of cubes of granite awaiting amalgamation into the dam.
Creator: Fiorillo, L, fl 1870-1889, photographer. |
19 May 1906 |
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14
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Bab el Kebir. 284 x 229 mm. A view showing an army of Egyptian labourers quarrying granite for the dam. The work is entirely manual; the rock, broken with picks, is being carried up wooden walkways to the top of the quarry where it is loaded into railway trolleys.
Creator: Fiorillo, L, fl 1870-1889, photographer. |
20 Apr. 1906 |
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15
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Looking East. 288 x 231 mm. A view looking down from the dam onto work in progress on the easternmost section where the aprons are not yet complete. Here workmen can be seen laying in place the granite blocks of the ramp necessary to break the fall of water from the sluices.
Creator: Fiorillo, L, fl 1870-1889, photographer. |
8 May 1906 |
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16
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North side of dam looking west. 286 x 321 mm A view showing water pouring through a set of sluices in the dam.
Creator: Fiorillo, L, fl 1870-1889, photographer. |
10 June 1906 |
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17
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From West Bank looking east. 287 x 230 mm. A view looking along the northern face of the dam from the West bank. The central sluices of the dam are open, those in the foreground shut off. The photograph gives a clear view of one of the newly constructed ramps.
Creator: Fiorillo, L, fl 1870-1889, photographer. |
19 May 1906 |
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18
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Looking East. 284 x 232 mm. A view looking down from the dam onto work in progress on the northern foundations. Labourers are laying the foundations for the masonry aprons while the flow of the Nile is directed through the Central sluice. |
15 June 1906 |
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19
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Looking North. 287 x 231 mm. A view showing labourers at work on a section of the reservoir side of the dam. The work seems to be connected with altering the size of the sluice gates but may be preliminary work on the thickening and heightening of the dam which took place between 1907 and 1912. See also Y3041B/21. Fiorillo, F.
Slight chemical staining.. |
9 June 1906 |
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20
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From West bank looking east. 256 x 223 mm. A view showing part of the navigation channel and locks with a section of the dam beyond and the full reservoir in the background. Photographer unknown, probably F. Fiorillo. |
17 July 1906 |
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21
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Looking north. A similar view to Y3041B/19 but showing work at a less advanced stage (the masonry wall visible in the foreground of Y3041B/19 has not yet been constructed in this print). |
May 1906 |
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22
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[Looking north, May, 1906]. 283 x 227 mm. A very dark print showing a similar scene to Y3041B/21, but from a slightly different viewpoint. Photographer unknown, probably F. Fiorillo. |
May 1906 |
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23
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West Bank looking east. 285 x 228 mm. A view looking along the northern face of the dam showing hundreds of labourers at work on the construction of the masonry aprons below the sluices (see Y3041B/13, 15, 17, and 18).
Creator: Fiorillo, L, fl 1870-1889, photographer. |
7 June 1905 |
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24
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Vue d' Assouan. 288 x 225 mm A view from the Nile looking towards Aswan, with dhows and steamboats moored and the bank and the houses of the town beyond. The town lies some five miles north of the dam on the eastern bank of the river.
Creator: Lekegian and Co. |
1905–1906 |
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25
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Barrages d' Assiout (Côte nord). 289 x 226 mm. A view looking along the north face of the Assiut Barrage, situated about half way between Aswan and Cairo, and built in order to divert water released from the Aswan reservoir into the Ibrahimian Canal.
Creator: Lekegian and Co. |
1905–1906 |
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26
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Barrages d' Assiout (côte sud). 283 x 227 mm. A view looking along the northern face of the Assiut Barrage (see Y3041B/25).
Creator: Lekegian and Co. |
1905–1906 |
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27
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Cataract Hotel - Assouan. 286 x 222 mm. A view from Elephantine Island looking across the Nile towards the Cataract Hotel, an imposing building that overlooks the river south of the town.
Creator: Lekegian and Co. |
1905–1906 |
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28
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Vue des Cataracts d 'Assouan. 289 x 228 mm. A pleasant landscape study looking along the Nile somewhere between Aswan town and the dam with small granite islands in midstream and dhows sailing in the foreground.
Creator: Lekegian and Co. |
1905–1906 |
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29
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Barrages du Nil - Rive Quest (vue générale). 285 x 227 mm. A view looking along the western or Rosetta Barrage, a brick and stone construction surmounted by turreted towers on the roadway across. The construction, situated at the divide of the Nile north of Cairo, was designed to keep the water of the Nile level at all seasons and do away with the old irrigation machinery (Y3041B/30 and 31). Photograph by G. Kelegian. |
1906 |
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30
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Barrages du Nil. 288 x 226 mm. A view showing a section of the Nile Barrage, with sluice gates controlling the level of the river north of the dam.
Creator: Lekegian and Co. |
1905–1906 |
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31
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Barrages du Nil - Rive Est (vue générale). 294 x 226 mm. A view looking along the Eastern or Damietta Barrage, a similar construction to the Rosetta Barrage (see Y3041/29).
Creator: Lekegian and Co. |
1905–1906 |
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32
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(Assouan) Cataractes. 289 x 228 mm. A view looking across the Nile at the first Cataract with rough granite outcrops projecting from the streambed. Four small Arab children stand in the foreground.
Creator: Lekegian and Co. |
1905–1906 |
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33
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Phylae - Pylone et Pierre en granit. 229 x 289 mm. A view showing one of the pylons at the Temple of Isis on the Island of Philae, finely sculptured with figures and hieroglyphics. At the foot of the pylon sit two young Egyptians in front of a massive granite block carved with hieroglyphs. |
1905–1906 |
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34
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Cataract Hôtel - Salle à manger. 295 x 232 mm. A view looking along the spacious dining-room of the Cataract Hotel, a high ceilinged room in vaguely Egyptian style, with rows of tables laid for a meal. |
1905–1906 |
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35
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[Official Inauguration Ceremony, Aswan Dam, December 10th 1902]. 268 x 223 mm. A view looking down on the Navigation Canal and the western end of the dam, where a large crowd are gathered round the final piece of masonry to be inserted on the dam by the Duchess of Connaught, whose husband had laid the foundation stone on February 12th 1899. |
10 Dec. 1902 |
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36
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[Island of Philae]. 814 x 202 mm. (panoramic view composed of three joined prints). A view showing the temples of Isis and 'Pharaoh's Bed' (Temple of Harendotes) under several feet of water from the Aswan Reservoir, with the Island of Biggen in the background. The buildings on the island have now been removed to Agilkia (see 'The Times', March 8th 1980). |
1905–1906 |
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37
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[Aswan Dam from West Bank]. 828 x 215 mm. (panoramic view composed of three joined prints). A view from above the navigation canal looking along the length of the north face of the dam. The photograph was taken at about the same period as Y3041B/8, August 1902. Photograph by A. Marques, Aswan. Another copy of this print can be found at Y304A/10.
Creator: Marques, A, fl 1900-1910, photographer. |
Aug. 1902 |
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38
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[Digging irrigation canals]. 299 x 239 mm. A view showing Egyptian labourers digging an irrigation canal with horse drawn railway trolleys for transporting earth. |
1902 |
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39
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[Suez Canal construction work Ismailia]. 299 x 239 mm. A view showing Egyptian labourers at work shifting earth with horse drawn railway trolleys under the supervision of an European overseer. In the background can be seen the funnels of numerous large steamers, and it seems likely that this is Port Ismailia, where Henry Williamson worked as a canal constructor after work had finished on the Aswan Dam. Y3041B/38 may also have been taken in this area. |
1905–1906 |
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40-41
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[Military Tournament, Gzira Sports Club, Cairo, 1906]. 143 x 84 mm. Two similar views showing an equestrian event during the tournament, with spectators leaning against a fence in the foreground. Photographer unknown, probably John Williamson. |
1906 |
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42-43
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[Military Tournament, Gzira Sports Club, Cairo, 1906]. 142 x 84 mm. Two views showing a tug-of-war event at the tournament with a large crowd of spectators watching the participants. Photographer unknown, probably John Williamson.
Y3041B/42 torn.. |
1906 |
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44-45
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[Military Tournament, Gzira Sports Club, Cairo, 1906]. 142 x 84 mm. Two similar views showing spectators watching a display of cannon firing. Photographer unknown, probably John Williamson. |
1906 |
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46-47
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[Military Tournament, Gzira Sports Club, Cairo, 1906]. 144 x 84 mm. Two similar views showing spectators watching a display of highland dancing. Photographer unknown, probably John Williamson. |
1906 |
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48-49
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[Military Tournament, Gzira Sports Club, Cairo, 1906]. 144 x 84 mm. Two similar views showing spectators watching a display of rodeo riding. Photographer unknown, probably John Williamson. |
1906 |
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50-51
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[P and O liner 'Medina']. 133 x 83 mm. Two views showing the 'Medina' in the Suez Canal. Photographer unknown, probably Henry Williamson. |
1905–1906 |
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52
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[English battleship]. 133 x 82 mm. A view showing an unidentified battleship in the Suez Canal, possibly a naval escort for the 'Medina's' voyage to India. Photographer unknown, probably Henry Williamson. |
1905–1906 |
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53
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[The liner 'Prinz Ludwig']. 133 x 82 mm. A view showing the liner 'Prinz Ludwig' at her moorings at Port Said. Photographer unknown, probably Henry Williamson. |
1905–1906 |
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54
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[English submarine]. 144 x 84 mm. A view showing a Royal Naval submarine (number 68) steaming along the Suez Canal, with sandhills in the background. Photographer unknown, probably Henry Williamson. |
1905–1914 |
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55
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[Celebrations at Port Said, 1911]. 133 x 83 mm. A view from the harbour looking towards a landing quay where a ceremonial arch has been erected in anticipation of George V's visit. Photographer unknown, probably Henry Williamson. |
1911 |
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56
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[March past of troops]. 135 x 82 mm A view showing a contingent of troops marching through the streets of Port Said. Photographer unknown, probably Henry Williamson. |
1911–1914 |
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57
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[Military band ]. 135 x 82 mm. A view showing a military band marching through the streets of Port Said. Photographer unknown, probably Henry Williamson. |
1911–1914 |
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58
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[Ismailia Station]. 133 x 84 mm. A view showing dignitaries on the platform of Ismailia Station, awaiting the arrival of the royal train. Photographer unknown, probably Henry Williamson. |
1911–1912 |
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59
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[Ismailia Station]. 135 x 82 mm. A view showing the welcoming party clustering around the royal train at Ismailia Station. A photograph taken from the footbridge over the track. Photographer unknown, probably Henry Williamson. |
1911–1912 |
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60
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[Arab boys and military band]. 135 x 82 mm. A view showing Arab boys walking alongside a native military band at Port Said. Photographer unknown, probably Henry Williamson. |
1911–1914 |
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61
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[Gurkhas, Port Said]. 135 x 78 mm. A rather indistinct view showing a contingent of Gurkhas marching along-side the Suez Canal. Photographer unknown, probably Henry Williamson. |
1914 |
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62
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[Gurkhas, Port Said]. 135 x 78 mm A similar view to Y3041B/61. Photographer unknown, probably Henry Williamson. |
1914 |
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63
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[View across the Canal, Port Said]. 135 x 78 mm. A view looking across the Suez Canal at the same location as Y3041B/62 and Y3041B/61. Photographer unknown, probably Henry Williamson. |
1914 |
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64
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[Military camp]. 135 x 78 mm. A view looking towards a military camp with rows of bell tents, and railway trucks in the foreground. Exact location unknown. Photographer unknown, probably Henry Williamson. |
1914 |
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65
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[English gunboat]. 138 x 80 mm. A view showing an unidentified naval gunboat moored at Port Said. Photographer unknown, probably Henry Williamson. |
1914 |
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66
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[Rifles and bayonets]. 78 x 135 mm A view showing two Turkish rifles, three bayonets and a bugle leaned against a wall. Photographer unknown, probably Henry Williamson. |
1914 |
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67
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[Bayonets]. 78 x 135 mm. A view showing two Turkish bayonets and their scabbards leaning against a wall. Photographer unknown, probably Henry Williamson. |
1914 |
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68
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[Race meeting, Cairo]. 290 x 230 mm. A fine period photograph (c 1910) showing Egyptian and European spectators in the stand at a race meeting. Photographer unknown, but professional work. |
1910 |
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