Vigo / Galicia: Santa-Ana Steamship Crew - Montero Fotógrafos (Vintage Maritime Photo 1910)

Rare 1910 Vigo Galicia Spain Maritime Photo Steamship Crew Montero Fotógrafos

Photographer/Publisher: R. Montero y H.no - Fotógrafos (Paseo de la Alameda, Vigo, Spain).

Features the original printed studio crest and exact year 1910 on the lower border.

Region of Origin: Vigo, Galicia, Spain. Estimated Date: Year 1910 (Explicitly dated on the mount).

Format: Large Format Mounted Photograph (Total size with original heavy cardboard mount is approx. 19 x 24 cm).

Photographic Process: Genuine early 20th-century silver-based print or gelatin print with rich historic sepia-toned coloration, mounted onto its original printed studio cardboard backing with decorative border lines.

Historical Significance & Context: This is a rare and sharply detailed maritime photograph capturing the crew or dockworkers gathered on the historic steam vessel Santa-Ana in the port of Vigo, Galicia, in the year 1910. The lower group of sailors and workers is captured in a candid moment, with several men holding cups and bowls during a meal break. The upper deck features officers or senior crew standing next to the vessel's bridge and lifebuoy, which clearly identifies the ship as the Santa-Ana. The photograph serves as an outstanding anthropological and maritime record of Galician harbor life and seafaring history at the beginning of the 20th century, produced by the well-known local photo studio Montero.

Image Surface: crisp preservation with fantastic contrast and high facial detail throughout the large group.

Backside Markings & Provenance: The reverse side of the heavy cardboard mount features a subtle contemporary handwritten pencil inscription at the very bottom center reading "Vigo", confirming its authentic regional provenance. Additionally, a vintage dealer or archival inventory notation is present in the lower right corner. The back remains largely clean, presenting authentic patina and light foxing consistent with its 1910 origins.

Mount: Original sturdy cardboard backing. Shows typical light age-related fading and minor foxing/browning along the borders, which underscores its genuine antique character.

Flaws: No major tears or creases affecting the main image area. Absolutely NO modern pen marks or alterations to the photo surface.

size photo: ~ 12.5 x 17.2 cm (1 cm ~ 0.39 inch)

total size:   19 x 24 cm

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

photography, fotografie, ship, steamship, maritime, nautical, boat, crew, spain