Woodbury & Page: Photographers Java

Woodbury & Page is the most important and prolific photographic firm to have operated in the Netherlands Indies (Indonesia) in the nineteenth century. Founded in 1857 by two young itinerant photographers, Walter Bentley Woodbury and James Page, this firm continued to operate, long after the departure of the original owners, into the first decade of the twentieth century. Today the work of Woodbury & Page is considered to be part of the classic photography on Indonesia during the colonial period. The present volume sheds light on this hitherto little-known chapter of the history of photography in Indonesia. A selection of 159 photographs, of views, buildings and people, from all parts of the Archipelago, memorably recreates images of the Indonesian past during colonial rule, proof of the excellent works of this renowned firm.

The book is divided into two main parts: a description of the activities of the firm, and a photographic journey through the Archipelago. The first part is the result of research in archives and printed sources, partly based on family papers, and tells for the first time the intricate story behind the firm of Woodbury & Page, relating what is known about the photographers and entrepreneurs active in it. The second part, based on the photographic collection of the Koninklijk Instituut voor Taal-, Land- en Volkenkunde (KITLV), gives proof of the excellent work of the renowned firm. A selection of 159 photographs, of views, buildings and people, from all parts of the Archipelago, memorably recreates images of the Indonesian past during colonial rule.

Hardcover with dust jacket 

Book condition: Near fine. Internally clean

Dust jacket condition: Near fine. light wear to jacket

Author: Steven Wachlin

Dimensions: 30.5 x 25.5 cm

Print length: 219 Pages

Language: English

Publication date: 1994

Publisher: KITLV Press Leiden

ISBN: ‎906718070X