Leporelloalbum met foto's van Rotterdam c. 1860 - 1900

Curator: This is the cover of "Leporelloalbum met foto's van Rotterdam," or a folding album with photographs of Rotterdam. We believe it dates from somewhere between 1860 and 1900. Editor: My first impression is a sense of opulent restraint. The reddish-brown hue with the gilded filigree whispers "souvenir" more than shouting it. Curator: Yes, that’s interesting. The albumen print process itself is fascinating; the way the photographic image is bound into a kind of surface. The crafting of the cover itself elevate the photographs beyond simple documents; consider the labor involved in such decorative embellishment. Editor: Indeed. And all that detail focuses our attention, doesn’t it? Consider how the cartouche at the top echoes elements in that elaborate script down below. They’re like mirror images, bracketing and amplifying the civic pride proclaimed in that central text: "Rotterdam." Curator: That pride is key. Consider the social and economic forces at play during Rotterdam's growth as a major port city at the time, what were people hoping to preserve or present by creating such luxurious mementos? Editor: It’s presenting an image—carefully constructed. These albums weren’t merely collections of snapshots, but a conscious shaping of a city's identity. Think about the families acquiring these. What narratives were they building, generation after generation, showing a refined and ever modern vision of their town? Curator: Absolutely. By understanding the materials and context, the economic boom, and rise of photography and tourism, the album can tell us more about the labor and intention behind making a souvenir than you might see just at first glance. Editor: Right. It's a very specific viewpoint. It gives an alluring feeling, hinting at grand avenues, merchantile might, a certain status, and pride which are now interwoven through all our stories around the city. Curator: A small object, but it provides insight into the ambitions of Rotterdam during a period of growth and industrial transformation, demonstrating how social change manifests in design. Editor: It is, indeed, a small artifact echoing loudly through cultural history, if we allow it.