Wampu River & Sultan of Langkat Palace near Medan — Dutch East Indies c.1910
€ 270
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1910
Mapmaker / artist
C.J. Kleingrothe, Medan (printed by J.B. Obernetter, Munich), ca. 1900
Technique
Photogravure
Sheet size
34 × 45 cm (13.4 × 17.7 in)
Reference
BG-05079-17
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. Sheet shows minor scattered foxing, light toning, and soft handling marks in margins. Image areas clean, rich impression. Original plate marks visible.
About this sheet
Medan Wampoe River & Sultan of Langkat Palace – Kleingrothe c.1900
This historic original photogravure sheet presents two evocative early 20th-century views along the Wampoe River in East Sumatra, captured by the renowned photographer C.J. Kleingrothe in Medan. Kleingrothe’s images are among the most important visual records of colonial Sumatra, documenting both local culture and rapidly developing infrastructure during the Deli plantation era.
The left-hand image depicts the riverside view toward the Sultan’s Palace of Langkat, framed by palms and dense tropical vegetation. The Sultanate of Langkat was one of the most influential Malay states in North Sumatra, with close ties to Dutch authorities and the powerful tobacco plantations in the region. Kleingrothe’s composition emphasizes the river as both a strategic and cultural lifeline, leading the viewer’s eye across the calm water toward the royal complex.
The right-hand scene presents a richly detailed look at Malay river dwellings, where wooden houses and fishing boats line the densely vegetated shoreline. Everyday life unfolds quietly along the banks — a vivid glimpse into indigenous habitation and resourceful adaptation to the tropical environment.
Printed in Germany by J.B. Obernetter in Munich using the gravure technique, these finely inked plates retain excellent tonal range, crisp detail, and a soft photographic depth typical of Kleingrothe’s finest work. The sheet was originally issued in the rare promotional album “Sumatra’s O.K.”, produced for the Deli plantation companies.
A highly decorative and culturally insightful work — ideal for collectors of Indonesian history, colonial photography, and Southeast Asian visual heritage.
Framing Tips: A warm off-white or soft ivory mat complements the subtle sepia tones. A dark wood frame (teak, walnut) enhances the historic character and echoes the tropical subject matter.
