Avenue of Trees, Tandjong Poera, Sumatra, Kleingrothe, Dutch East Indies c1910
€ 240
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Mapmaker / artist
G.R. Kleingrothe, Medan, Sumatra (c.1895)
Technique
Photogravure
Sheet size
34 × 45 cm (13.4 × 17.7 in)
Reference
BG-05079-26
What the condition grades mean
Excellent
Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good
Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good
Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair
Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Condition
Very good for age. Some foxing and mild toning in the wide margins, image area crisp and well-preserved. Original plate impression visible.
About this sheet
Tandjong-Poera Sennah-Laan, Sumatra (c.1895)
This original late-19th-century photogravure by G.R. Kleingrothe (Medan) depicts the Sennah-Laan at Tandjong-Poera (Tanjung Pura), a historic town in North Sumatra. The long shaded avenue lined with mature trees creates a dramatic natural corridor leading toward the unseen colonial settlement beyond. Such tree-lined boulevards were signature elements of Dutch colonial urban planning—both practical for climate and symbolic of administrative order.
Kleingrothe’s photography is widely recognized as one of the most comprehensive visual archives of the Dutch East Indies. His work captured the landscapes, infrastructure, and daily life of Sumatra during a period of rapid change driven by plantation development and new transport routes. Large-scale prints such as this are now scarce, especially in clean original condition.
The tonal richness and sense of depth make this an elegant display piece that also serves as a valuable historical document. It appeals to collectors of Indonesian history, early photography, and Dutch colonial cartography and settlement studies.
Framing tips: A simple dark wood or teak frame with a neutral archival mat will emphasize the depth of the avenue and strengthen the sepia contrasts.
