Country: Egypt
Collection Type: LibraryUniversity
Collection Size: > 50,000
Period: 1860-19001900-19301930-19601960-1980
Type of Material & Format: Black and White imagesColour imagesDigital filesFilm-based negativesGlass plates positives and/or negativesPrintsSlides (positives)
Website: http://library.aucegypt.edu/rbscl/index.html

The Rare Books and Special Collections Library (RBSCL) at the American University in Cairo specializes in Egyptology and Middle Eastern Studies including Coptic and Islamic art and architecture as well as contemporary Egyptian art books and archives. It also houses and curates a sizeable collection of historic photographs that amounts to approximately 250,000 prints, negatives and slides.

The RBSCL was established in the nineties based upon the earlier Creswell Library which dated back to the sixties and encompassed his Islamic art and architecture books and his large collection of photographs from Egypt, North Africa, the Middle East and Andalusia. As a result of the RBSCL’s expansion many new collections were added. Among the most important is Hassan Fathy’s photographic collection focusing on his vernacular experiments and the highlights of his architectural career. The RBSCL has also acquired the archives and the bulk of the photographic collection of the Armenian photographer Van Leo as well as photographic collections of modern artists such as Salah Taher and Margo Veillon.

The vintage nineteenth century photographs constitute a pivotal component of AUC’s photographic collections. It includes loose photos and albums of pioneer photographers such as Francis Frith, Abdullah Frères, Arnoux, Beato, Bonfils, Béchard, Fiorillo, Lekegian, Sebah, Zangaki and a set of Underwood and Underwood stereoviews. The RBSCL houses also collections pertaining to other topics such as Nubia’s architecture and ethnographic life, the Egyptian Cinema and other aspects related to Egypt’s contemporary life.

The photographic collection at the RBSCL is currently a visual resource, a teaching and research tool available to the faculty and students of AUC and to worldwide independent scholars. In the last few years, the RBSCL photographs have become an important ingredient in many MA and PhD thesis as well as various publications and documentary movies. The RBSCL organizes annual exhibitions of selected themes based on its extensive collections within and beyond the scope of AUC campus.

Contact Details:
Email: [email protected]
Address: American University in Cairo, Road 90 – New Cairo

Other:
Further online access to collections:
http://digitalcollections.aucegypt.edu/

Country: Lebanon
Collection Type: LibraryUniversity
Collection Size: 10,000-50,000
Period: 1860-19001900-19301930-19601960-1980Later than 1980
Type of Material & Format: Black and White imagesColour imagesDigital filesFilm-based negativesGlass plates positives and/or negativesPrints
Website: http://www.aub.edu.lb/main/academics/libraries/Pages/index.aspx

The University Archives and Special Collections (ASC) Department at the Libraries of the American University of Beirut (AUB) aims to collect, organize, preserve and provide access to the University’s archives, as well as to primary and unique historical resources that document the history and culture of AUB, Lebanon and the region at large. The Archives and Special Collections contain 700 linear feet of archival material (including papers of famous Lebanese and Arab intellectuals); 1,400 manuscripts; 9,000 volumes of AUB theses and dissertations; 5,000 posters; 1,900 maps; and 50,000 photographs. The collections are developed and enriched on an ongoing basis to support the academic and research programs of the AUB.

The AUB Archives and Special Collections’ photograph collections cover the late 19th to the 21st centuries and include many formats (negatives, glass plates, cabinet cards, albumen, black and white silver, colored, etc.). The collections include a number of significant holdings: the Moore Collection (106 black and white photos of AUB campus, Lebanon and the region taken between 1892 and 1915); the Blatchford Collection (801 photographs of the Middle East, Europe and North Africa between. 1880 to 1900); an Egyptian Theatre Collection (477 photos Black and white photographs in 20 albums that cover History of Egyptian Cinema from early to mid-twentieth century); the Richard Finnie Photo Collection (52 black and white photographs of Lebanese towns and cities during the 1950s); the Manoug Photo Collection (around 464 black and white photos of Lebanon covering the years 1940 to 1990); the Kanafani Photo Collection (228 black and white as well as colored photos covering crafts and folklore in the Middle East, 1982, 1998), in addition to an extensive photo collection documenting AUB’s various academic and extra-curricular activities since its founding in 1866.

Contact Details:
Name: Kaoukab Chebaro/Head; Samar Mikati/Archives Librarian
Email: ; mailto:[email protected]; [email protected]
Address: Ras Beirut, Bliss Street, Beirut Lebanon
Tel: +961 (0)1 350000; ext: 2610/ 2635

Country: Lebanon
Collection Type: Foundation or Association
Collection Size: > 50,000
Period: 1860-19001900-19301930-19601960-1980Later than 1980
Type of Material & Format: Black and White imagesColour imagesDigital filesFilm-based negativesGlass plates positives and/or negativesPrintsSlides (positives)
Website: http://www.fai.org.lb/home.aspx

Finding Aid: local database/ catalogue
The Arab Image Foundation (AIF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the collection, preservation, and study of photography and other related visual material from the Middle East, North Africa, and the Arab Diaspora. Established in Beirut in 1997, it holds over 600,000 photographs from the mid-19th century to the present day.

The collection includes various photographic mediums such as film-based negatives, glass-plates, and prints. It reflects both the general preservation mission of the foundation and the specific interests of its members, who have initiated research projects in Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, Iraq, Iran, Mexico, Argentina and Senegal. Authored by professionals, amateurs and anonymous photographers, the images encompass a range of genres and styles – including studio portraiture, family albums, documentary, reportage, industrial photography, fashion photography, architecture, advertising, fine art, landscape and still life. The collection includes extensive collections entrusted by photographers such as Hashem el Madani (Lebanon), Van Leo (Egypt), Antranig Bakerdjian (Palestine), and Kamil and Rifaat Chadirji (Iraq) among others.

Images from the collection can be viewed online through the AIF website and through the in-house online image database. The AIF’s research facilities include over 1,300 books, monographs, catalogues, journals, theses and DVDs dedicated to the study of photography, preservation, art, theory, and regional history.

The AIF has produced fifteen exhibitions and eight publications in partnership with international museums, galleries and cultural institutions, and the collection has been used for artists’ projects, curatorial initiatives and academic research.

Contact Details:
Email: [email protected]
Address: Zoghbi Building, 4th floor, 337, Gouraud Street, Gemmayzeh, Beirut
Tel: +961 1 569 373

Country: Lebanon
Collection Type: Foundation or Association
Collection Size: > 50,000
Period: 1860-1900 1900-1930 1930-1960 1960-1980 Later than 1980
Type of Material & Format: Black and White images Colour images Digital files Film-based negatives Glass plates positives and/or negatives Prints Slides (positives)
Website: http://www.fai.org.lb/home.aspx

Finding Aid: local database/ catalogue
The Arab Image Foundation (AIF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the collection, preservation, and study of photography and other related visual material from the Middle East, North Africa, and the Arab Diaspora. Established in Beirut in 1997, it holds over 600,000 photographs from the mid-19th century to the present day.

The collection includes various photographic mediums such as film-based negatives, glass-plates, and prints. It reflects both the general preservation mission of the foundation and the specific interests of its members, who have initiated research projects in Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, Iraq, Iran, Mexico, Argentina and Senegal. Authored by professionals, amateurs and anonymous photographers, the images encompass a range of genres and styles – including studio portraiture, family albums, documentary, reportage, industrial photography, fashion photography, architecture, advertising, fine art, landscape and still life. The collection includes extensive collections entrusted by photographers such as Hashem el Madani (Lebanon), Van Leo (Egypt), Antranig Bakerdjian (Palestine), and Kamil and Rifaat Chadirji (Iraq) among others.

Images from the collection can be viewed online through the AIF website and through the in-house online image database. The AIF’s research facilities include over 1,300 books, monographs, catalogues, journals, theses and DVDs dedicated to the study of photography, preservation, art, theory, and regional history.

The AIF has produced fifteen exhibitions and eight publications in partnership with international museums, galleries and cultural institutions, and the collection has been used for artists’ projects, curatorial initiatives and academic research.

Contact Details:
Email: [email protected]
Address: Zoghbi Building, 4th floor, 337, Gouraud Street, Gemmayzeh, Beirut
Tel: +961 1 569 373

Country: Tunisia
Collection Type: Private collection
Collection Size: 10,000-50,000
Period: 1860-1900 1900-1930 1930-1960 1960-1980
Type of Material & Format: Black and White images Film-based negatives Glass plates positives and/or negatives Prints
Beit el Bennani’s main aim is to safeguard the cultural heritage of Tunisia, its manuscripts and photographs.

The collection began in 1997 following the visit of a lady carrying her father’s, Mohamed el Bennani’s archive documenting Tunisia. Mohamed el Bennani, initially collected books and engravings and developed a growing interest for photography. 90% of the collection documents the history of Tunisia, and goes back to the years 1878-1957 (prior to the country’s independence). The collection includes glass-plates, and original material from international photographers such as Guarriges (1881), Albert a Bizerte (1895) and Lehnert and Landrock (1909). It also includes photographs from local tunisian photographers such as the private collection of Mostafa Bouchoucha (8,000 negatives dating 1932-1967) deposited by his daughter, and some photograph collection from the archive of the Tunisian National Library.

The entire collection is entirely digitized and catalogued by theme and name of photographer.

Contact Details:
Name: Mohammed Bennani, Owner
Email: [email protected]
Address: 11 bis, boulevard Bab Menara, Tunis 1008. Tunisie
Tel: Fixe : 00216 71 564546 Mobile : 00216 98 243799

Other:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Beit-el-Bennani-520104428117976/

Digital library for International Research: http://www.dlir.org/about-bouchoucha.html

Country: Morocco
Collection Type: Library Public/ National Archive
Collection Size: 1,000-10,000
Period: 1860-1900 1900-1930 1930-1960 1960-1980 Later than 1980
Type of Material & Format: Black and White images Film-based negatives Glass plates positives and/or negatives Prints
Website: http://www.bnrm.ma/

Founded in 1924, the Bibliothèque Nationale du Royaume du Maroc (National Library of the Kingdom of Morocco, BNRM) has a significant photographic archive dating back to French Protectorate period. Its mission is to collect, process, preserve and disseminate the national documentary heritage of Morocco, and relevant foreign documentary collections, while facilitating access to its documentary collections and bibliographic information.

The BNRM coordinates in the national network of libraries, contributes to national and international scientific activities, and develops research programs related to its mission.

The special collections department became active in 2007, and includes in addition to the cartographic and antiques collections, a photographic collection of approximately 10,000 images, that represents monuments, customs and traditions, historical social and cultural events, etc. and dates back to the 1900s. These include glass-plate and plastic negatives, prints and black and white images. The department makes accessible these collections to researchers and organizes exhibitions on specific themes.

Contact Details:
Name: Naïma Keddane; Rahma Nagi ; Fatima ZohraBouallaga
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]/ [email protected]
Avenue IbnKhaldoun, Rabat, Morocco
+212 5377 71890
+212 537272300

Country: Lebanon
Collection Type: Library University
Collection Size: > 50,000
Period: 1860-1900 1900-1930 1930-1960 1960-1980 Later than 1980
Type of Material & Format: Black and White images Colour images Film-based negatives Glass plates positives and/or negatives Slides (positives)
Website: http://www.bo.usj.edu.lb/

Founded in 1875, along with the university Université Saint-Joseph (USJ), the Bibliothèque Orientale is a cultural, scientific and patrimonial space for exploration and research in the field of Oriental studies. Since its creation, several collections were put together by Jesuit scholars of the Université Saint-Joseph. The institution’s mission is the preservation of the collection, internal (USJ) research, exhibitions, publications of the material and improving accessibility by cataloging and digitizing. Conservation and restoration workshops are conducted since 2000 in order to preserve these precious funds.
A photograph library of around 50,000 photographic documents groups several collections, including the Poidebard fund, a Jesuit father and pioneer in aerial archeology. The collection dates from late 19th century to the mid 20th century, with the majority of the material from the period between the two World Wars. Photographs were taken as working instruments by the Jesuit archeologists or for documenting of missions and special interests.
Since 2000, the photograph collection has been featured in many exhibitions and publications published by Presses de l’USJ, for instance Portraits photographiques d’Orient (by the Jesuits, Lévon Nordiguian and May Semaan Seigneurie). It is available to the public by appointment.

Contact Details:
Name: Levon Nordiguian
Email: [email protected]
Address: Saint-Joseph University, Damascus Road – BP 17-5208 Mar Mikhaël
Beirut 1104-2020 – Lebanon
Tel: +961 (1) 421 000

Country: Egypt
Collection Type: Public/ National Archive Research center
Collection Size: 10,000-50,000
Period: 1860-1900 1900-1930 1930-1960 1960-1980
Type of Material & Format: Digital files
Website: http://www.cultnat.org

The Photographic Memory of Egypt (PME) program at the Center for Documentation of Cultural and Natural Heritage (CULTNAT) is focused on the documentation and preservation of Egypt’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage through photography.
The PME program’s primary activity is to digitize and document photographic collections of photographers as well as important institutional and private collections from the nineteenth and early twentieth-century. These digital collections gathered from local and international sources currently contain 20,000 images and continue to expand. They are to be made available for researchers and to the public through an online database.
The collection ranges from photojournalism and the archives of key photographers practicing in the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, to Orientalist photographs produced by photographic teams and studios operating in Egypt between 1880 and 1930, to vernacular images produced by local families documenting alternative social histories of Egyptian society from the 1920s to 1960s, to documentary photographs of key events in Egypt’s history as a nation.
The program is also engaged in a survey of photographic collections concerning Egypt and the development of a comprehensive timeline for the history of photographic practice in Egypt.
Publications based on the CULTNAT historic photograph collection include: Egypt 1920: The Photographs of Lehnert & Landrock (2006, CDRom); and Nubia Through Two Eras – The photographs of Antoune Albert (2008).

Contact Details:
www.cultnat.orgCULTNAT – Center for Documentation of Cultural and Natural HeritageBibliotheca AlexandrinaKm 28 Cairo-Alexandria desert roadSmart Village, Giza, Egypt+20-3545-322

Other:
Online database to be announced