http://www.businessinsider.com/the-worlds-first-travel-photographs-are-up-for-auction-and-they-offer-an-unprecedented-glimpse-into-ancient-egypt-2016-8/#du-camp-travelled-with-his-colleague-gustave-flaubert-to-egypt-in-1849-as-part-of-a-three-year-archaeological-expedition-his-work-was-published-in-his-book-egypte-nubie-palestine-et-syrie-and-brought-him-instant-fame-1
The first ever travel photographs are up for auction — and they offer a fascinating glimpse into ancient Egypt
Antiquarian Auctions
One of the world's first set of travel photographs is up for auction and it's expected to fetch up to $20,000 (£15,096).
The images — which are widely considered to mark the birth of travel photography — were captured by the French writer and photographer Maxime Du Camp during a trip to Egypt in 1849.
His work offers a fascinating glimpse into ancient Egypt long before the days of commercial tourism and selfie sticks.
59 of the original 125 prints are currently up for auction on the Antiquarian Auctions website.
Du Camp travelled with his colleague Gustave Flaubert to Egypt in 1849 as part of a three-year archaeological expedition. His work was published in his book "Egypte, Nubie, Palestine et Syrie," and brought him instant fame.
125 images were printed in the book upon his return to France in 1851. A short description accompanied each image.
The prints were bought by a South African family as collectables and have remained in their possession for generations. They showcase Egypt's most famous landmarks long before the days of commercial tourism.
They were captured just 30 years after the first ever photograph was taken and the equipment was rudimentary at best, which makes this collection even more remarkable.
Although the pictures are thought to fetch around $20,000 (£15,096), past collections have sold for as much as $1,000 (£755) per piece.
Du Camp was awarded the Legion of Honour in recognition of his achievements and work in the field of archaeology.
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