ZAGOURSKI, Casimir

'L'Afrique qui disparaît!' [an album containing 201 original photographs]

Léopoldville, Casimir Zagourski, [circa 1930s].

Large oblong quarto (357 × 440 mm), containing 201 postcard-format gelatin silver prints, generally corner-mounted four per page. Almost all of the images are on printed postcard stock, with the series title, number, caption (in French), and the photographer's imprint on the verso. Most are accompanied by early manuscript captions in French on the mounts, reproducing or summarising the printed captions; some later images have captions in another hand.

Contemporary half snakeskin and marbled boards; covers a little worn; acidic mounts discoloured and occasionally chipped or torn; some photo-corners brittle or defective (with about 20 photographs later tipped in or laid down); photographs occasionally rubbed at the edges, with one creased; a few other minor signs of age and use, but overall, the majority of photographs are in excellent condition.

Zagourski's striking photographic record of the peoples of Central Africa was issued in two series, both of which are represented in this album, comprising portraits, scenes of daily life and rituals, costumes and natural scenery. Approximately 150 of the images in this selection depict African peoples, including the Mbaka, Maasai, Tutsi, Komo, Mangbetu, Kuba, and Pende (among others), principally in the Belgian colonies of Congo and Ruanda-Urundi and contiguous territories (such as Kenya and French Equatorial Africa). One confronting group of 11 images features a Mbaka female genital cutting ceremony.

The balance of the selection (approximately 50 images) comprises views of animals, indigenous architecture and natural landmarks.

Mounted on two leaves at the rear of the album are 14 photographs from other sources, primarily of African artefacts; one printed portrait is mounted earlier in the album.

Casimir Ostoja Zagourski (Kazimierz Zagórski, 1883-1944), was a Polish military officer who established a photographic studio at Léopoldville in the 1920s.

Item #145157

Price (AUD): $6,500.00
other currencies