Dates: 1910s to 1950s
The collection captures notable locations and events in Constantinople (now Istanbul) before the Algen family’s move to New York City in 1920. Algen photographed buildings, monuments, street scenes, rural areas outside the city, nearby islands, and more intimate photographs of his family and friends. He also photographed battleships on the Bosporus strait during the Occupation of Constantinople around 1918 or 1919 and the visit of Emperor Charles I and Empress Zita to Constantinople in 1918.
After the family’s move to New York City, he photographed his new home avidly: capturing street scenes, family events, vacations, outings, and picnics. He also documented activities in his music studio on Riverside Drive and invited musicians, friends, and family to sit for portraits. The entire collection comprises over 800 original glass plate and sheet film negatives.
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