| Title |
Derek Holt West African photographs |
| Reference |
GBR/0115/Y3043PP |
| Creator |
Holt, John, 1841-1915 |
| Covering Dates |
circa 1890–1986 |
| Extent and Medium |
67 images; Of varying condition. |
| Repository |
Cambridge University Library: Royal Commonwealth Society Library |
|
| Content and context |
|
John Holt (1841-1915) was the founder and first chairman of John Holt and Co (Liverpool) Ltd. Setta Kama (Setté Cama) in Gabon, French Equatorial Africa, was a centre for the company's trading activities.
A collection of loose prints and one modern copy print. These photographs presumably relate to the activities of John Holt and Co. They fall into three main groups: mounted photographs (1-3), unmounted photographs (4-31), and carte de visite photographs (32-67). In the first category are the important Mary Kingsley groups (1-2) and the Morel family photograph (3). Included in the second are a number of prints (9, 11-17, 24-25) which appear to have been removed from an album or other mount. Some of these prints have pencilled captions on the back; in other cases descriptive titles have been added. It has been possible to discover the subject of nos. 4-7 from comparisons with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office album Nigeria Vol. 25, and relevant photocopies are kept with the collection. The carte-de-visite photographs are an interesting collection, 20 being the work of Francis W. Joaque, of Gabon and Freetown. Eight others have named photographers. Unfortunately, it has not been possible yet to identify many of the individuals or places depicted.
This album, together with Y3043MM and Y3043NN, was presented to the Library in 1986-87 by Derek Holt, a member of the Liverpool family formerly involved in West African trade.
|
Access and Use
|
Please cite as Cambridge University Library: Royal Commonwealth Society Library, Derek Holt West African photographs, Y3043PP |
| Further information |
|
For further information on John Holt and Co., see Y3043MM.
Indexed
This item level description was entered by NE and MJC using information from the original typescript catalogue.
|
| Index Terms |
| Africa |
| Nigeria |
| Holt, John (1841-1915) |
| RCS/Y3043PP contains: |
|
1
|
[Mary Kingsley Group, Calabar, 1895]. 210 x 150 mm., mounted 290 x 230 mm. The group shows eight Europeans, of whom Mary Kingsley, Sir Claude and Lady Macdonald, and Roger Casement are identified. For a discussion of the picture, and its dating, see Donald Simpson, 'Mary Kingsley: a West African Group' ('African Affairs', v 86, no 342, 1987, p 5-6) copies of which are filed with this catalogue and with the plate.
Faded especially at edges.. |
1895 |
|
2
|
[Mary Kingsley Group, Calabar 1895]. 252 x 202 mm. Modern print of Y3043PP/1. |
1986 |
|
3
|
[E.D. Morel and his sons 1913]. 100 x 142 mm., mounted 175 x 250 mm. Studio group by F.A. Swaine of E.D.Morel and three sons, inscribed 'With love from EDM & his sons. October 1913'. In this picture his son Roger Carwithens (b 1899) stands at the back, John de Horne (b 1901) on his right and Geoffrey Dene (b 1906) in sailor suit on his left. See Catherine Cline, 'E.D. Morel' (1980). |
1913 |
|
4
|
[King of Ilaro and his wives]. 140 x 100 mm. So identified by a similar group, but including Acting Governor G.C. Denton, taken at the time he hoisted the flag at Ilaro on 12 August 1891, in F.C.O. 'Album Nigeria' Vol 25 (See A.I. Asiwaju 'Western Yorubaland under European Rule 1889-1945', (1976), p 46. Sir George Chardin Denton (not G.L. as in Asiwaju), Colonial Secretary, Lagos, administered the Government of Lagos for substantial periods in the 1890s and was Governor of Gambia 1900-1911. |
1891 |
|
5
|
Itoki Ijebu Creek. 145 x 100 mm. Boat at anchor with African canoes in background.
Creased.. |
1891 |
|
6
|
[Acting Governor Denton and European group]. 195 x 130 mm. The group of sixteen men seated under an awning. |
1891 |
|
7
|
Denton and staff, Lagos Gov. 195 x 130 mm. There are seventeen men in this open air group, taken near a hut. Some are identical with individuals in Y3043PP/6, but wearing different clothes. |
1891 |
|
8
|
[African Woman]. 98 x 145 mm. 'Keta' is written on the back.
Creased.. |
1891 |
|
9
|
[African group]. 140 x 110 mm. Group of 12 men and women, some in partly European dress.
Badly torn.. |
1891 |
|
10
|
Students C.M.S. Lagos. 190 x 130 mm. Group of 26 Africans and one European posed beside a staircase outside a substantial building.
Torn in half and repaired.. |
1891 |
|
11
|
View of Abinda near Pitunga. 150 x 105 mm. River scene.
Torn edges.. |
1890–1899 |
|
12
|
Canoe travelling in the Ndugu. 150 x 105 mm. Distant view of canoe in wide stretch of water. |
1890–1899 |
|
13
|
Ndugu looking up river from Ngumu. 150 x 105 mm. |
1890–1899 |
|
14
|
Ndugu from Pitunga. 150 x 105 mm. View from shore to distant shore hardly visible owing to fading. |
1890–1899 |
|
15
|
Ngumbi Isle. 150 x 105 mm. |
1890–1899 |
|
16
|
[Beach scene]. 150 x 105 mm. A steam ship can be seen on the horizon. A boat with numerous Africans around it is at the water's edge; there are other Africans in shallow water, and a few barrels are scattered on the beach. |
1890–1899 |
|
17
|
[Barrels on the shore]. 152 x 110 mm. Nine barrels lie in a row beside a stretch of sand; low foliage is behind this, and the sea beyond. Two Africans, one carrying a child, can be seen near the right edge. |
1890–1899 |
|
18
|
[Palms and foliage by a stretch of water]. 110 x 82 mm. |
1890–1899 |
|
19
|
[Houses amid foliage]. 110 x 82 mm. Trees and bushes are reflected in water in the foreground. The roofs of two houses can be seen amid the foliage, but the print is dark and there is a stain on the right edge. |
1890–1899 |
|
20
|
[European bungalow]. 110 x 82 mm. A substantial bungalow, raised on piles and with a staircase in the centre.
Stained at edge.. |
1890–1899 |
|
21
|
Lagos Beach 1899. 152 x 110 mm. View of a warehouse and quayside, with timber in the water. Probably taken from a ship; a post is visible, but blurred in the left foreground. |
1899 |
|
22
|
Lagos Beach 1899. 130 x 110 mm. Copy of Y3043PP/21, printed lighter, and with the left side (showing the post) trimmed off. |
1899 |
|
23
|
Lagos Beach 1899. 130 x 110 mm. Copy of Y3043PP/21, printed lighter, and with the left side (showing the post) trimmed off. |
1899 |
|
24
|
[Outside a warehouse]. 158 x 110 mm. Africans are handling goods, and two donkeys drawing a cart can be seen on the right. There are scales on the left.
Crumpled.. |
1890–1899 |
|
25
|
[Outside a warehouse]. 150 x 105 mm. The same warehouse featured in Y3043PP/24, but there is only one African outside, and one, in white European suit, is going through the doorway.
Top edge irregularly trimmed.. |
1890–1899 |
|
26
|
[Group of warehouses]. 150 x 105 mm. Group of buildings with a lamp on a post in the centre, and some crates and a barrel scattered about.
Stained.. |
1890–1899 |
|
27
|
[European house under construction]. 165 x 120 mm. Two storey house. |
1890–1899 |
|
28
|
[European house]. 158 x 110 mm. Similar house to Y3043PP/27, perhaps the same, with barrels and other goods piled outside. Possibly the lower floor was used as a warehouse. |
1890–1899 |
|
29
|
Holts House Port Novo. 150 x 105 mm. Two storey house with several Europeans on the verandah. |
1890–1899 |
|
30
|
[Steamboat]. 160 x 105 mm. Small craft with single funnel and awning, towing a rowing boat, with the prow facing left. Land is visible in the background. |
1890–1899 |
|
31
|
[Steamboat]. 165 x 120 mm. Dark print. Possibly the same craft as Y3043PP/30, but pointing to the right. |
1890–1899 |
|
32
|
[King Duke of Calabar]. Similar to the illustration in Mary Kingsley 'Travels in West Africa' (1897) p 43. He wears European clothes under a robe, and a crown, and holds a tall sceptre. King Duke Ephraim Eyamba IX (Orok Edem) ruled Calabar from April 1880 until his death in 1896. See K.K. Nair 'Politics and Society in South Eastern Nigeria 1841-1906' (1972). |
1880–1896 |
|
33
|
[African woman and girl, in European dress]. 65 x 100 mm.
Creator: Joaque, Francis W, photographer. |
1890–1899 |
|
34
|
[African woman in European dress]. 65 x 100 mm.
Creator: Joaque, Francis W, photographer. |
1890–1899 |
|
35
|
[African woman wearing embroidered jacket]. 65 x 100 mm.
Creator: Joaque, Francis W, photographer. |
1890–1899 |
|
36
|
[African in formal European clothes, head and shoulders]. 65 x 100 mm.
Creator: Joaque, Francis W, photographer. |
1890–1899 |
|
37
|
[African woman in European dress]. 65 x 100 mm.
Creator: Joaque, Francis W, photographer. |
1890–1899 |
|
38
|
[Three young African women] The clothes indicate a bride and bridesmaids, and the resemblance between the three suggests that they are sisters. 65 x 100 mm.
Creator: Joaque, Francis W, photographer. |
1890–1899 |
|
39
|
[African women in European dress]. 65 x 100 mm.
Creator: Joaque, Francis W, photographer. |
1890–1899 |
|
40
|
[European couple]. 65 x 100 mm. The man, in formal clothes, is standing with his hand in his waistcoat. The seated woman has long ringlets.
Creator: Joaque, Francis W, photographer. |
1890–1899 |
|
41
|
[European man]. 65 x 100 mm. He has sticking up hair, a small beard and moustache, and a frowning expression.
Creator: Joaque, Francis W, photographer. |
1890–1899 |
|
42
|
[European man]. 65 x 100 mm. Curly hair and moustache, arms folded.
Creator: Joaque, Francis W, photographer. |
1890–1899 |
|
43
|
[Three African women]. 65 x 100 mm. They wear flowing patterned dresses: the centre seated figure is probably the mother of the other two. |
1890–1899 |
|
44
|
[African woman in European dress]. 65 x 100 mm. Marked on back 'Return to Mr Holt'. |
1890–1899 |
|
45
|
[Bearded African in European clothes]. 65 x 100 mm. |
1890–1899 |
|
46
|
[Bearded European]. Circular portrait 25 mm. diameter, very faded, on a trimmed down mount. |
1890–1899 |
|
47
|
[Woman in African dress, with elaborate hair style]. 65 x 100 mm. Marked on back 'Return to Mr Holt'. |
1890–1899 |
|
48
|
[African woman in European dress, looking down]. 65 x 100 mm. |
1890–1899 |
|
49
|
[Elderly African woman in print dress]. 65 x 100 mm. |
1890–1899 |
|
50
|
[European man]. 65 x 100 mm. He has moustache and side-whiskers, dark hair and strongly marked eyebrows. He wears a dark bow-tie and jacket. |
1890–1899 |
|
51
|
[European man]. 65 x 100 mm. Head and shoulders portrait, somewhat faded, of a mature bearded man. |
1890–1899 |
|
52
|
[European Man]. 65 x 100 mm. With dark hair and beard, and large eyes. |
1890–1899 |
|
53
|
[African woman in white dress, standing by a settee]. 65 x 100 mm.
Creator: Lancaster, E. |
1890–1899 |
|
54
|
Werebe. 65 x 100 mm. Three-quarter length studio portrait of a young African in a heavy double-breasted jacket leaning on a table. On the back is written 'Werebe' [?].
Creator: Cooper, George. |
1890–1899 |
|
55
|
'Makaga' 1883 aged 30. 65 x 100 mm. Head and shoulders of a burly African with short beard, in European clothes.
Creator: Brown, Barnes, Bell.
Faded, with pupils of eyes touched in.. |
1883 |
|
56
|
[Sea Captain]. Full length portrait of a man with moustache and side-whiskers, in uniform.
Creator: Vandyke & Brown.
Faded.. |
1890–1899 |
|
57
|
John E.F. King, West Coast Africa, February 10th 1869. 65 x 100 mm. Full length portrait of naval officer with servant, signed on the back as above.
Creator: Harris, J. |
1869 |
|
58
|
[Bearded European]. 23 x 30 mm. Oval portrait. On trimmed down mount.
Creator: Midwinter, W H. |
1890–1899 |
|
59
|
[Bearded European]. 65 x 100 mm. Full length portrait.
Creator: Alexander Brothers. |
1890–1899 |
|
60
|
[Two African women in European clothes]. 65 x 100 mm. Two mature women, wearing hats, full-lengths, one seated.
Faded.. |
1890–1899 |
|
61
|
[African woman in European dress]. 65 x 100 mm. Mature woman, full length, standing by a chair. |
1890–1899 |
|
62
|
[African woman]. 65 x 100 mm. Full length portrait. She wears a long dress and a turban, and holds a book.
Creator: Decker, J P. |
|
|
63
|
[African family]. 65 x 100 mm. Man and woman seated, with two daughters (?) standing by a carved table. |
1890–1899 |
|
64
|
[African woman]. 65 x 100 mm. The same woman as in Y3043PP/63, seated by the carved table. There are some carved (?) items on it, but this portion is faded. |
1890–1899 |
|
65
|
[African group]. 65 x 100 mm. Five Africans in traditional costume save for one who wears a uniform jacket. They stand by a table, perhaps that in Y3043PP/64. |
1890–1899 |
|
66
|
King of Fuissama (?) and Courtiers, River Quanga. 102 x 62 mm. The king, holding a staff, is seated in a group of nine Africans.
Very faded.. |
1890–1899 |
|
67
|
[African group]. 102 x 62 mm. Twelve men and boys, some carrying basket-work items [fish traps?]. |
1890–1899 |
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