Scenes of Egypt During WWI
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Language of Materials
Abstract
This photograph album contains photographs of scenes captured first-hand in Egypt and Palestine by an unidentified Royal Flying Corps aviator in 1916–1919. At least for a time, he was stationed near Cairo, quite possibly assigned to the Number 14 Squadron that assisted T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt (1916–18). This photograph album shows glimpses of life in Egypt during wartime, particularly in Cairo and Alexandria and includes a few images from Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Jaffa in Palestine. A heavy gun on large wheels and surrounded by a sandbag wall, situated at Aboukir according to the caption verso of image, suggests this as the pilot's base. Included in this album are 4 photographs taken of the demonstrations in Alexandria during the Egyptian Revolution of 1919. Other views of Alexandria include the Boulevard Ramleh, street scenes with more horse drawn carts and trains at the Alexandria Station. A scant few scenes pertain to the war, showing two types of aircraft, sandbag barricades, a large army truck and artillery.
Biographical / Historical
This photograph album contains photographs of scenes captured first-hand in Egypt and Palestine by an unidentified Royal Flying Corps aviator in 1916–1919. At least for a time, he was stationed near Cairo, quite possibly assigned to the Number 14 Squadron that assisted T. E. Lawrence in the Arab Revolt (1916–18).
Arrangement
The collection was processed as it was received.
Scope and Contents
This photograph album shows glimpses of life in Egypt during wartime, particularly in Cairo, Alexandria, and desolate regions in between, skillfully captured by a British aviator who seems to have been especially curious of the elusive women in burqas. He includes several lovely photographs of the people in traditional costume and going about their usual routines, in Egypt, and a scant few from Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Jaffa in Palestine. Camel caravans and windmills pierce the desert regions, and a charming mud village flanks the bank of an irrigation canal. A heavy gun on large wheels and surrounded by a sandbag wall, situated at Aboukir according to the caption verso of image, suggests this as the pilot's base. Photographs of Cairo include the Saladin Citadel with the Mosque of Muhammad Ali towering from the summit, city streets mostly with only one motorcar; otherwise all foot traffic and horse-drawn carriages. Included in this album are 4 very scarce snapshot photographs taken of the riots in Alexandria during the Egyptian Revolution of 1919. Other views of Alexandria include the Boulevard Ramleh, street scenes with more horse drawn carts and trains at the Alexandria Station. A scant few scenes pertain to the war, showing two types of aircraft, sandbag barricades, a large army truck and artillery.
Subjects
Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open without restrictions at akkasah.org. For access to physical album contact Akkasah Center for Photography, akkasah@nyu.edu +971 2628 5531
Conditions Governing Use
Any rights (including copyright and related rights to publicity and privacy) are maintained by Akkasah Center for Photography, New York University Abu Dhabi. Permission to publish or reproduce materials in this collection must be secured from repository. Please contact Akkasah Center for Photography, akkasah@nyu.edu +971 2628 5531
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date; Album: Scenes of Egypt During WWI; AD_MC_015; box number; folder number or item identifier; Akkasah Center for Photography, New York University.
Material Specific Details
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Album purchased from Antiquariat INLIBRIS, Rathausstraße 19, 1010 Wien, Austria in 2015.
Custodial History
Akkasah, the Center for Photography at NYU Abu Dhabi, acquired the collection in December 2015.