Visual Materials

Collection of 19th century photographs of the Philippines, (bulk 1858-1880)

Image not available

Description: This collection of 212 photographs (57 of which are in an album) depict the Philippines from 1858 to 1910, largely during Spanish rule, pre-US colonization. The prints are largely albumen with a few gelatin silver photographic postcards, and two salted paper prints. The photographs were taken by European photographers working in the Philippines including Albert Honiss, Francisco van Camp, and Fedor Jagor as well as other unknown photographers. Subjects range from portraiture, the 1863 Manila earthquake, Indigenous Filipino people, architecture, city streets and businesses, countryside landscapes, religious customs, and agriculture. Of note is an image of a group of women reading "La Independencia," the periodical publication of the Philippine Revolution against Spain edited and founded by General Antonio Luna, Supreme Chief of the Army. Please note that this collection contains historical images of nudity and human remains that library users may find harmful, offensive, or inappropriate.
Type: Visual Materials(Opens in new tab)
Production date: 1858-1910.

Cartes-de-visite by early commercial photographers in the Philippines

Visual Materials

A group of 10 carte-de-visite portraits taken in the1860s and 1870s in photography studios in Manila, Philippines. The unidentified sitters are Filipino, Chinese, and Spanish men, women and children, mostly in individual portraits, with one image of three Indigenous men posed with spears. Six images are credited to Pedro Picon (one dated 1867); the others have imprints for Fotografia Universal Manila, Honiss Fotografo Manila, H. Schuren, and W. W. Wood. These cartes-de-visite illustrate the early activities of commercial photography studios in the Philippines.

photCL 721

Image not available

Cartes-de-visite by early commercial photographers in the Philippines

Visual Materials

photCL 721

Image not available

Collection of photographic postcards and travel ephemera of the Philippines

Visual Materials

A collection of 731 photographic postcards and 81 photomechanical or printed postcards of the Philippines, spanning the years of transition from the end of the Spanish colonial government through decades of American administration. Many were sent through the mail to U.S. destinations, including Berkeley, Seattle, Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sioux Falls, as well as to recipients in Hong Kong and Portugal. A number of postcards have handwritten inscriptions, stamps, and printed captions, indicating how they were viewed, circulated, and used for tourism and government propaganda. Postcard imagery covers a variety of subjects in the Philippines, including people and communities, with many Indigenous people represented; agriculture; buildings and houses under construction; social and cultural activities; prisons; street and market scenes; weaving and textile production; religious ceremonies; and landscapes. There are several studio portraits, primarily of women and couples, and several color photomechanical postcards of various scenes. The collection also includes some related photographic prints and tourist guides, pamphlets and maps of the Philippines. Please note that this collection contains historical images and language that library users may find harmful, offensive, or inappropriate.

photCL 701

Image not available

Albert Honiss carte-de-visite photograph of a Filipino boy

Visual Materials

A carte-de-visite portrait of a young boy standing in front of a bare wall. On the back, in handwriting, is: "Small Aborigine of Manilla [sic]" and the photographer's stamp: A. Honiss, Escolta, Manila. Estimated date of photograph based on the years British photographer Albert Honiss was active in the Philippines, 1865 to 1874. Please note that a transcription from the item is included here and contains outdated language.

photPF 26038

Image not available

Collection of Philippine hemp fiber industry photographs

Visual Materials

After the Philippines became a colony of the United States in 1898, Manila hemp became the nation's most important export item, making up 72% of the nation's total export value. The material was widely used for making rope, twine, paper, bags, shoes, hats, dresses, and other everyday commodities. The collection includes 36 loose photographs. These include images of Filipino workers cultivating, transporting, and processing fibers from hemp plants. Also included are photographs of Filipino and presumably, American workers operating and posing with hemp processing machinery. Other photographs include industrial machines for breaking and spinning fibers, ships for transporting, Henequen plants and Manila trees, Manila hemp fibers hung for drying, Manila hemp seeds, and an image of a native Philippine shelter.

photCL 693

Image not available

Collection of Philippine hemp fiber industry photographs

Visual Materials

photCL 693

Collection of 19th century photographs of the Philippines, (bulk 1858-1880)

Opening Hours

Admission Info and Tickets

You might also be interested in

Cartes-de-visite by early commercial photographers in the Philippines

Cartes-de-visite by early commercial photographers in the Philippines

Collection of photographic postcards and travel ephemera of the Philippines

Albert Honiss carte-de-visite photograph of a Filipino boy

Collection of Philippine hemp fiber industry photographs

Collection of Philippine hemp fiber industry photographs