Francis Frith Jerusalem 1857 Holy Land Views, Albumen Prints (Lot of 4)

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Francis Frith Jerusalem 1857 Holy Land Views, Albumen Prints (Lot of 4):
$12500.00

Lot of 4 Francis Frith Albumen Prints Jerusalem 1857 Holy Land Views

This object comes from a long-held private collection formed over decades of collecting. The seller has been an member since 2015 as a buyer and only recently began releasing selected pieces, including this one.

This listing is for a lot of four original albumen prints of Jerusalem by the pioneering British photographer Francis Frith, taken during his 1857 expedition to the Holy Land. These photographs are among the earliest large-format photographic views of Jerusalem and represent a rare, cohesive group documenting the city’s most sacred and symbolically charged sites.

Frith’s Jerusalem images are valued not only as historical documents, but as accomplished works of early photographic art. His command of composition, light, and architectural scale elevates these photographs beyond reportage, presenting Jerusalem as a monumental and spiritually layered city.

Subjects Included

Dome of the Rock (Qubbat al-Sakhra) – One of Islam’s holiest shrines, photographed on the Temple Mount in its mid-19th-century state.
Tomb of Absalom (Yad Avshalom), Mount of Olives – A significant Jewish funerary monument, central to ancient burial traditions.
View from the Mount of Olives – Panoramic view toward Jerusalem, including the sealed Sha’ar HaRachamim (Golden Gate), traditionally believed to open with the coming of the Messiah.
Temple Mount / Har HaBayit – A broad architectural view encompassing the most sacred location in Judaism and a focal point of Islamic and biblical history.

Historical & Religious Significance

Islam: The Dome of the Rock marks the site associated with the Prophet Muhammad’s Night Journey.
Judaism: Har HaBayit (Temple Mount), the Tomb of Absalom, and the Mount of Olives are central to Jewish history, burial traditions, and Messianic belief.
Christianity: These locations are deeply embedded in the geography of pilgrimage, Passion narratives, and resurrection traditions.

Together, the four photographs form a unified Jerusalem group that reflects the city’s layered religious identity and its importance to three world religions.

Details

Photographer: Francis Frith (1822–1898)
Date: 1857 (3 prints) - 1858 (1 print)
Process: Albumen prints from wet-collodion glass negatives
Size: Each approx. 6 × 9 inches (minor variations up to ~⅛", consistent with hand-cut albumen paper)
Mounts: Original 19th-century mounts with printed captions; Frith’s signature etched in the negative

Provenance

Acquired from a specialist photography dealer in 1986. From a long-held private collection of 19th-century photography.

Disclaimer
This item is offered as an antique ethnographic artifact and is not represented as contemporary Native American-made under the Indian Arts and Crafts Act.

Guarantee

This item was carefully researched, appraised and authenticated. It is described and photographed as accurate as I can. The description and condition report are guaranteed to match the item condition. Please review photos as they form part of the description.

Returns & Inspection

A 14-day inspection period is provided from the date of delivery to allow in-person evaluation of the piece, for domestic sell only.

Returns are accepted within this period provided the item is returned in the same condition in which it was received.

Please contact me before retuning for coordinating the return with my signature safely.

Returned items must be shipped fully insured and with signature confirmation required upon delivery. Buyer pays for insured return.

If the reason for return is a damage, please document the damage and package condition for insurance purposes.

Returns not accepted for international sells. Please review description and images carefully or contact prior to purchase.”

Shipping

All items are packed professionally with insurance equal to purchase price. High value items will require an adult signature for the delivery to be completed

If an item arrives damaged, please photograph the box, packaging, and item immediately and retain all materials until the insurance claim is processed.

Note: All international sales are final. Buyers are responsible for customs duties, taxes, and clearance requirements.