Pepper Plantation & Timber, Sumatra — Antique Kleingrothe Photogravure c.1900
€ 250
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1900
Mapmaker / artist
C.J. Kleingrothe, Medan, Sumatra, c.1900
Technique
Photogravure
Sheet size
45 × 34 cm (17.7 × 13.4 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-05079-46
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
Wear consistent with age and use. Very good original condition with light age toning, minor spotting in margins, and faint handling wear consistent with age. Image area clean and strong. Original wide sheet margins preserved.
About this sheet
Pepper Plantation & Timber, Sumatra — Antique Kleingrothe Photogravure c.1900
This original photogravure by C.J. Kleingrothe offers a rare documentary view of plantation life in colonial-era Sumatra around 1900. The upper photograph depicts a meticulously organized pepper plantation, with vines trained onto support trees in straight rows — a visual testament to the agricultural expertise and commercial focus of the Dutch East Indies at the turn of the 20th century. The lower image shows stacked timber from the region’s forests, labeled “Bankong – Teak timber,” illustrating the simultaneous cultivation and extraction industries that fueled global trade.
C.J. Kleingrothe, based in Medan, is highly regarded for his detailed photographic documentation of Deli’s plantations, infrastructure, and indigenous people. His photogravures were produced in limited quantities and have become increasingly sought after due to their historical significance and strong visual impact.
The warm sepia tones and deep contrasts typical of Kleingrothe’s work give this large-format plate a rich and atmospheric presence. It remains mounted on its original sheet as issued. Ideal for collectors of Southeast Asian history, early photography, or vintage plantation and botanical subjects, and well-suited for framing in a study, library, or heritage-inspired interior.
Very good original condition with light age toning, minor spotting in margins, and faint handling wear consistent with age. Image area clean and strong. Original wide sheet margins preserved.
Framing suggestion: A dark wood or teak frame with a natural linen mat enhances the archival feel and complements the organic subject matter and sepia palette.
