330 - Giorgio Sommer 1834–1914

Giorgio Sommer 1834–1914 Album of Italy, 92 photographs, before 1888, vintage prints Each labeled on the negative according to the subject, almost always with the credit “G. Sommer, Napoli” A collection testifying to individual achievement: Georg Sommer, born in Frankfurt, moved to Rome in 1856 and, a year later, to Naples, where he opened a photography studio—a venture that proved successful for the photographer and publisher throughout his life This album illustrates Sommer’s photographic journeys through Italy with photographs from Verona, Venice, Bologna, Florence, Fiesole, Siena, Rome, Tivoli, Naples, Capri, Pompeii, Pisa, Genoa, Assisi, Pavia, and Milan Affixed to the front cover of the album is a relief embossing reading “Italy 1888,” which is also the latest date of the photographs contained within; some, or even most, of these may date back to the 1870s; this also applies to the four smaller-format photographs not included in the above list, measuring approximately 17 × 12.5 cm In total, this photographic treasure trove is presented on 50 plates; the summer photographs measure approximately 20 × 25.5 cm; the photographs are in very good condition, though the white margins of the plates in the second half of the album bear erasable pencil markings made by a child; the wear and tear of the one and a half centuries that have passed since then has been clearly absorbed and mitigated by the original leather binding; there are traces of color on the front cover, and the spine in particular is more heavily battered; a piece of leather that was lost from the spine is included separately; part of the metal clasp is missing Album dimensions: 32 × 45 cm