East Indies · 19th century
€ 370
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Wear consistent with age and use. Very good for age. Minor age toning and a few small foxing spots in the wide margins. Image areas clean and strong. Original full margins preserved.
Coffee Establishment Girsahan & Sorting Coffee – Antique Photogravures Sumatra c.1900
A rare and visually engaging original photogravure plate published circa 1900, documenting the early coffee industry in North Sumatra during the Dutch colonial period. The work was produced by C.J. Kleingrothe, one of the most important photographers active in the Dutch East Indies between the 1880s and early 20th century, renowned for his detailed documentation of plantation life, industrial progress, and local communities.
This large sheet features two distinct photographs. The upper view depicts the “Coffee Establishment Girsahan,” showing plantation buildings situated on a hilly, forested landscape. It offers a valuable historical look at the infrastructure and setting of a highland coffee estate at the turn of the century.
The lower image captures rows of women meticulously sorting coffee beans by hand inside a long, open-air processing shed. Their concentration and the methodical layout of the workspace provide a strong visual narrative of labor in the colonial coffee trade. Each seated worker sorts beans into wooden compartments, underscoring the precise quality control expected for export markets.
Kleingrothe’s images of plantations and industrial facilities provide exceptional documentary insight into the economic engine of Sumatra during this period. His photogravures are highly collectible for their historical relevance, rich detail, and atmospheric tonal qualities. This example is particularly desirable as it presents both the estate environment and the labor processes tied to global coffee commerce.
A striking display piece for collectors of early photography, Southeast Asian history, or coffee-related material.
Condition:
Very good for age. Minor age toning and a few small foxing spots in the wide margins. Image areas clean and strong. Original full margins preserved.
Framing suggestion:
A dark wood frame with off-white archival matting will emphasize the warm tones of the photogravure and the dual-image composition. Could also be paired with other Sumatra plantation views from the same series for a powerful wall grouping.
Technique: Photogravure
Maker: C.J. Kleingrothe, Medan, Sumatra (c.1900)
