4077 - Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea Photographer: John William Lindt (1845-1926). Images of Indigenous people and landscapes of Papua New Guinea. 1885. 12 albumen prints, mounted to gilt-edged black boards. Each circa 15 x 20,5 cm (mounts 17,5 x 27 cm) and reverse. In 1885, photographer John William Lindt accompanied Sir Peter Scratchley's expedition to the newly proclaimed Protectorate of British New Guinea. In 1887 he published fifty photographs from the expedition in his book Picturesque New Guinea. The expedition, led by Scratchley, set out one year after Britain annexed the territory. Lindt had wanted to visit the island of New Guinea since first sighting it on the horizon during a visit to the Torres Strait in 1868. On arrival, Lindt immediately sought opportunities to take photographs. His photographic work was facilitated by the Commissioner and the resident missionaries. William George Lawes (1839-1907) had established the London Missionary Society in New Guinea in 1874. An inland excursion was undertaken, guided by a government officer, and one of the locations visited was the village of Kalo. For other photographs by J.W. Lindt see lots 4007-4010. – Boards slightly warped; some prints with surface scuff marks and light fading along the edges, otherwise most in good condition with strong contrast. Provenance: By descent to the current owner.