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Original photography by the Alberto Henschel brand

Original photography by the Alberto Henschel brand

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Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Digital Warranty ©

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At the end of the 19th century, the studio or Alberto Henschel himself portrayed an elegant black man, in business card format.

  • Photograph from the studio or by Alberto Henschel himself.
  • Portrait of an unidentified black man.
  • 6.3 cm x 10.4 cm.
  • No information about the date or location, but it is estimated that it was taken between 1866 and 1890.
  • Excellent condition of conservation.

The history of photography in Brazil began in 1833, with Hercule Florence, a French pioneer unknown to most. In the following years, a dozen photographers began to work in various parts of Brazil. The majority were Europeans, French and German.

Alberto Henschel was one of them. Born in Germany in 1827, he arrived in Brazil in 1866 and died in Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo (there is some doubt among historians) in 1882. He is known for his photographs that documented the culture, social and economic life of Brazil in the late 19th century. He was also one of the first photographers to document the Amazon and its inhabitants. He ended up earning the title of Photographer of the Imperial Household, allowing him to photograph the daily life of the Brazilian monarchy during the reign of D. Pedro II. He even photographed the emperor and his family.

But in my opinion, his main contribution to the history of Brazilian photography was the photographic record of black people, both slaves and free people, differentiating himself from other photographers by portraying them freely and with dignity, as people and not as objects. This photograph is a beautiful example.

I found this photograph in England. I searched countless sources to try to find more information about it, without success. I couldn't find another copy of it. And it could be one of Henschel's first photographs, from the late 1860s, or a later photograph of him or one of his assistants. When he died, his company was sold to other businessmen, who continued to use his name strategically for a few years, taking advantage of the great prestige that the "Henschel" brand had acquired.

The back of the photo says “carte de visite” in French (business card) and the rest is in English. During the period of the Empire in Brazil (1822-1889), the official language of the country was already Portuguese. However, there was a strong French influence on Brazilian culture and society at that time, especially among the elite and nobility. Many members of the Brazilian aristocracy were educated in France and spoke French fluently, in addition to adopting French customs and fashions. French was also often taught in Brazilian schools as a foreign language, along with English. In addition, France was an important trading partner of Brazil at that time, which also contributed to the presence of the French language in Brazilian society at that time.

Anyway, I admit that I have little information about this small photograph, but I hope that its aesthetics, its dignity and its author, Alberto Henschel, one of the pioneers of photography in Brazil, catch your attention as they did mine.

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Yes. All items available at Glórias have been carefully selected, studied, and certified before being offered for sale. Each purchase comes with a digital certificate of authenticity and guarantee, which we send via email. It is signed and stamped by Mathias Meyer, a French autograph expert since 2010 and a member of the ILAB (International League of Antiquarian Booksellers).

Who selects and certifies the items sold?

All items are selected and certified by Mathias Meyer, a French specialist in autographs, manuscripts, and historical documents since 2010. Throughout his career, he has studied thousands of pieces related to Brazilian history, sports, science, literature, and arts, and is now a member of ILAB (International League of Antiquarian Booksellers) and founder of Glórias.

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We offer a 3% discount for payments made in full (via Pix or bank transfer) or the option to pay in up to 3 interest-free installments by credit card. Furthermore, the prices of our pieces are carefully determined based on international market supply and demand, the specific characteristics of each item, and sales results of similar pieces. For this reason, we typically do not grant additional discounts. However, if you wish to purchase multiple pieces or make an exceptionally high-value purchase, we would be pleased to consider a special commercial arrangement.

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Delivery time varies approximately from 1 to 10 business days, depending on the recipient's location. In Brazil, we mainly use SEDEX, and for international shipments, FedEx. The document is placed in an elegant laid paper folder and sent in completely discreet packaging. The digital certificate of authenticity and guarantee is sent by email, in PDF format, for security reasons. Shipping is free throughout Brazil. For international shipments, the shipping cost is a fixed R$ 500.00.

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All items sold by Glórias have a permanent guarantee against eventual certification errors, provided that such error is subsequently demonstrated and confirmed by Mathias Meyer. In this event, the buyer will be fully reimbursed. To date, this situation has never occurred. The guarantee does not cover natural alterations or damage caused by improper storage, exposure to light, humidity, insects, or any other external factor that may compromise the preservation of the paper or ink.

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How can I add value to my collection?

If your goal is to go beyond an isolated purchase, the ideal is to build a coherent collection around a theme, a personality, or a historical period, such as aviation pioneers, women who made history, love letters, old photographs of Rio de Janeiro, Oscar Niemeyer, Pelé, or Ayrton Senna. Mathias Meyer can guide you in forming a consistent collection, according to your interests, objectives, and budget.

How should I store my document or autograph?

To preserve your document in the best condition, we recommend against laminating it or keeping it permanently framed, as paper needs to breathe and prolonged exposure to light can accelerate its deterioration. Ideally, store it in a dry, dark, and clean place, protected from humidity, extreme temperatures, dust, and insects, ensuring its preservation for many decades.

Why aren't these pieces in museums?

Throughout history, much of the world's documentary heritage has been preserved thanks to private collectors and dealers. These enthusiasts of historical documents play a fundamental role in the discovery, study, and preservation of pieces that can later be loaned, donated, or sold to museums and other institutions. In Brazil, where many museums have limited financial resources and staff, this collaboration is even more important. Glórias maintains relationships with public institutions, museums, and researchers, both in Brazil and abroad, sharing discoveries, knowledge, and, in some cases, documents for exhibitions.

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Every document has a unique story. Most of the pieces offered by Glórias were inherited from families who contacted us, while others were acquired at auctions, where they were poorly identified or undervalued, or came from antique dealers, collectors, or companies. Behind every rare document there is a singular trajectory, which makes collecting a fascinating way to preserve and transmit history.