Constantinople in the 1890s

I found this photograph of Constantinople (now Istambul) in a book published in 1898. I tried to make the photo a little bit "livelier" by adding colour to it. I hope you like it!:

Constantinople and the Bosphorus in the 1890s.

Istanbul in the 1880s

The Hagia Sofia, built as a church in the 6th century. Drawing by Boudier.

Istanbul, or Constantinople, as it was previously called, served as the capital of four empires: the Roman  Empire (330-395), the Byzantine Empire (395-1204 and 1261-1453), the Latin Empire (1204-1261) and the Ottoman Empire (1453-1922). 

The city was modernized from 1870 onwards. Bridges across the Golden Horn were constructed, a proper water system was created, electric lights were installed, and trams were introduced. In the 1880s Istanbul was connected to the European railways network. 

However, in the 1880s Istanbul retained many of its traditional features, as can be seen from the drawings and woodcuts shown on this page.

A fountain in Istanbul. Woodcut by Rousseau, based on a painting by Pasini.

A barber in Istanbul. Woodcut by Barbant, based on a painting by Bonnat.

The Bosporus, seen from the European side. Drawing by Boudier.

Turkish women. Drawing by Vogel.

A Harem on its way. Woodcut by Ruffe, based on painting by Benjamin Constant.

Dogs in Stambul. Drawing by Gelibert.

The Galata bridge. Drawing by Boudier.

Istanbul scenery. Woodcut by Ruffe, based on painting by Weber.

Stambul, seen from Kasim Pasha. Woodcut by Ruffe, based on painting by Weber.

A kaik on the Bosporus. Woodcut by Rousseau, based on painting by Bridgman.

Four busy port cities in the late 19th century

New York was a buzzling port city already in the early 1890s:

Drawing by Berteault, based on a lithograph by Currier and Yves.

Istambul - or Constantinople as it was then called - was another major international port city in the end of the 19th century:

Etching by Ruffe, based on a painting by Weber.

The port of Stockholm was one of the busiest in Scandinavia already before the 20th century:

Based on a drawing by Boudier.

The port of Calcutta in the early 1890s:

Etching by Bazin based on a drawing by Jouas.

The beauty of old postcards

Old postcards from the 1950s often have a nice "Technicolor" glow, which I find rather attractive. Here is small selection of postcards from Paris and Istanbul to illustrate what I mean.

Quai de la Turnelle

Quai de Gesvres et la Conciergerie (Paris)

Fontaine St. Michel

Saint Sofia and Topkapi Palace

The Fortress and the Bosphorus

Saint Sofia