Kesawan Street, Medan – Rare c.1910 Photograph by C.J. Kleingrothe, Indonesia
€ 270
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Date
1910
Sheet size
34 × 45 cm (13.4 × 17.7 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-05079-2
Condition
Condition report: Very good, with minor foxing and light age toning on the card margins. Image area fresh with a strong, warm impression. No tears or losses. Mount edges remain sharp, suitable for immediate framing.
About this sheet
Medan – Kesawan Street from South, C.J. Kleingrothe, ca. 1910
Historical photogravure view of Kesawan Street (Hoofdstraat Kesawan), the principal commercial artery of Medan during the height of the plantation boom in East Sumatra. The photograph captures the urban energy of the Dutch East Indies colonial capital of Deli, featuring horse-drawn carriages, early electric tram and telephone lines, commercial signage in Dutch and Chinese, and the iconic multi-story shophouses lining the street.
This plate was produced by the famous Medan photographer and publisher Charles J. Kleingrothe, whose studio documented the rapid economic transformation of Sumatra fueled by tobacco, rubber, and palm-oil industries. His urban views are now prized visual records of a cosmopolitan and fast-developing city at the beginning of the 20th century.
Printed in rich photogravure tones, the image is mounted on its original stiff card with printed caption in three languages: German, Dutch, and English. The composition highlights the combination of European architectural forms with local adaptations in the tropical commercial environment. Few original Kleingrothe plates have survived in clean condition, making this an important collector’s item for those interested in Indonesian history, colonial photography, or Southeast Asian urban heritage.
Condition report: Very good, with minor foxing and light age toning on the card margins. Image area fresh with a strong, warm impression. No tears or losses. Mount edges remain sharp, suitable for immediate framing.
Framing tips: A black or dark-walnut frame with a clean, narrow profile enhances the architectural lines. A soft white archival mat creates depth and highlights the central photogravure panel. UV-protective glass recommended.
Technique: Photogravure on original card mount Maker: C.J. Kleingrothe, Medan, ca. 1910
Keywords: Medan, Kesawan Street, Deli, Sumatra’s O.K., Dutch East Indies, colonial photography, shophouses, Southeast Asia urban history, plantation economy, Indonesia antique print
