Soengei Serpa, Sumatra — Antique Photogravure by C.J. Kleingrothe, c.1900
€ 240
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
34 × 45 cm (13.4 × 17.7 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-05079-39
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 condition overall. Minor age-related foxing and faint edge toning in margins. Image itself clean and well-preserved. Original strong plate mark visible.
About this sheet
Soengei Serpa, Sumatra — Antique Photogravure by C.J. Kleingrothe, c.1900 A striking original photogravure by renowned photographer C.J. Kleingrothe, showing the lush tropical landscape and a wooden suspension bridge crossing the Soengei Serpa (Serpa River) in Sumatra around 1900. Kleingrothe was one of the most important photographers active in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), known for his detailed documentation of plantation life, infrastructure, and society in Sumatra during the colonial era.
This atmospheric view highlights the dense rainforest, natural waterways, and early industrial development that was transforming Sumatra at the turn of the 20th century. The large foreground riverbank with figures below the bridge adds human scale and narrative interest. Highly decorative as well as historically significant, this large plate is ideal for collectors of Indonesian history, colonial photography, or Southeast Asian landscapes.
Printed on its original thick support sheet with wide margins — perfect for framing. A fine example from the scarce Kleingrothe portfolios issued in Medan c. 1900–1910.
Very good condition overall. Minor age-related foxing and faint edge toning in margins. Image itself clean and well-preserved. Original strong plate mark visible.
Framing suggestions: An ivory or warm white mat with a dark wood or teak frame will complement both the sepia-toned image and the Indonesian subject matter. A float-mount presentation would nicely showcase the wide original margins.
