Inauguration du Canal de Suez, Voyage des Souverains. Gustave Nicole's important work documenting the historic event of the inauguration of the Suez Canal, Opens with four black-and-white portraits of European aristocrats who attended the important event, and 13 large plates in colorful lithographic print of scenes from the canal, according to paintings by Edward Rio. Paris [1869]. Rare scenes of the inauguration of the canal right after the historic event. Extremely rare.
The current Suez Canal mining began on April 25, 1859 and lasted for 10 years until 1869. Mining was conducted by a French company headed by Ferdinand de Lespas for the governments of Egypt and France. According to various estimates, about 1.5 million Egyptian workers were employed in the construction work and about 125,000 of them died during the work, mainly from cholera. The sea connection between the Gulf of Suez and the Mediterranean Sea was created on August 15, 1869. The canal was inaugurated in a solemn ceremony attended by high-ranking representatives from around the world on November 16, 1869, and officially opened for sailing on November 17 in a three-day festive flotilla from Port Said to Port Ibrahim. At the head of the flotilla, which included 68 vessels from all over the world, stood the French "Eagle", and on board the Empress Ageni de Montizu, the wife of Napoleon III. Representatives of the French Empire, the Emperor of Austria, the Prince of Prussia, the Prince of the Netherlands, the Ambassadors of Russia and England were present on Egyptian soil.
The book which was printed in large format on thick and fine paper came out immediately after the historic event, and is the earliest historical Documentation we know today on the inauguration of the Suez Canal.
76 pages + [4] Portraits, [13] Colored lithographs. 48 cm. Antique half leather binding. Time stains on some pages. general condition good.
