German Samoa: Topless Samoan Women SMS Condor Imperial Navy (Rare Vintage Photo ~1900s)

Rare 1900 German Samoa Photo SMS Condor Navy Samoan Women 13x10.5cm Vintage 

Photographer/Publisher: Attributed to a contemporary studio in Apia (e.g., Thomas Andrew / Alfred Tattersall)

Region of Origin: Apia, German Samoa (Deutsch-Samoa)

Estimated Date: Exact year 1900

Format: Unmounted vintage print (approx. 13 x 10.5 cm).

Photographic Process: Authentic loose turn-of-the-century Albumen Print with an unusually rich, dark gold-toned purple-brown coloration.

Historical Significance, Context & Provenance: This is an exceptionally rare, museum-quality ethnographic document from the pivotal year of the German colonial acquisition of Samoa. The historic handwritten pencil inscription on the reverse side explicitly reads: "SMS Condor / Samoa / 1900", accompanied by an archival inventory number "N 14". SMS Condor was a prominent Imperial German Navy (Kaiserliche Marine) cruiser stationed in Samoan waters during the official declaration of the German protectorate in 1900. This photograph was collected directly by a crew member or contemporary officer of the vessel, providing flawless, unvarnished historical provenance. The image itself provides a striking, high-detail anthropological study of two young Samoan women in traditional festive attire, featuring beautiful floral headwear (Sei), necklaces (Ula), and a woven Lavalava.

Image Surface: Excellent, crisp preservation with deep, rich tones and exceptional clarity.

Paper: Printed on the original, historically thin vintage albumen paper and is notably unmounted (not glued to cardboard). As typical for loose prints of this era, it shows natural light curling.

Flaws: Minimal handling wear consistent with an archival document over 120 years old. Microscopic inspection under a loupe reveals a fine, authentic network of historical micro-cracking (craquelé) within the albumen protein layer and subtle signs of edge silver mirroring, beautifully verifying the undisputed age, material authenticity, and chemistry of this genuine 19th-century print. 

size: ~ 13 x 10.5 cm (1 cm ~ 0.39 inch)

condition: excellent..very nice condition for a 100+ year old photo.....please also refer to scans which show complete front and reverse of photo

photography, fotografie, colonialism, ethnic, tribe, indigenous, oceania, german colony, ethnic nude