CONSTANTINOU, ALBUM OF 36 PHOTOGRAPHS OF ATHENS, INCLUDING ANTIQUITIES. [C.1860]

Large folio (368 x 535mm.), 36 photographs, being salted paper prints and dilute albumen prints (from 198 x 203mm. to 268 x 372mm., or the reverse), contemporary red pebbled calf, PRESENTATION ALBUM, upper cover reading: "A son excellence le Maréchal Magnan / Athènes et ses Antiquités / l'Envoyé extraordinaire de Grèce Général Kalergi", minor fading, very light wear to mounts, rebacked to style, slightly rubbed

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

DIPLOMATIC GIFT FROM DIMITRIOS KALLERGIS, FIGHTER OF THE GREEK WAR OF INDEPENDENCE TO BERNARD PIERRE MAGNAN, THE MARSHAL OF FRANCE. Kallergis (Δημήτριος Καλλέργης, 1803-1867), fought during the Greek War of Independence, and was especially significant in the battle of Kastella. Later he was captured by enemy forces during the battle of Phaleron. He was finally released after his family paid a large sum of money. In 1843, he was colonel of the cavalry and a leading figure of the 3 September 1843 Revolution against the autocratic rule of king Otto.  Kallergis was appointed minister plenipotentiary in Paris in 1861, where he took an important part in the negotiations that went after the fall of the Bavarian dynasty. That might have been the occasion where this album was presented to Magnan.

The photographs are possibly by Dimistrios Constantinou, who was active from the 1850s until the 1870s. He is known as the first photographer to have worked with the Greek Archaeological Society, to document the work that had been done at the end of the 19th century. Therefore he photographed the most important monuments in Athens, like the Acropolis, the temple of the Olympian Zeus, the Tower of the Winds and the Theseion. "One could characterize Constantinous’ images as beautiful, but at the same time conventional, satisfying the taste of the eager market of the nineteenth century. A closer examination of his photographic work will reveal his austere and scholarly approach to the sites produced by the photographer’s interest in the archaeological as opposed to the picturesque details of the antiquities" (Encyclopedia).