photocollection.alonsorobisco.es
1. Albums
6. Links
7. Sitemap
8. Contact
If you have more information about Albert Levy, please contact us
photocollection.alonsorobisco.es
1. Albums
6. Links
7. Sitemap
8. Contact
If you have more information about Albert Levy, please contact us
Albert Levy is a French photographer active in the 1870s-1890's. He was a pioneer on architectural photography in the United States and Europe.
His catalogue, with 2500 titles until 1887, can be found in the Gallica web project of Bibliothèque nationale de France. Many of his works can be check online in the Art Institute of Chicago (HALIC)
Biography
Complete name: Albert H. Levy (1)
Date of birth: 1844 (3)
Date of death: 1907 (3)
Nationality: French (2) and (12).
Father's birthplace: France (2)
Mother's birthplace: France (2)
Marital Status: Single (2)
Race: White (2)
Home in 1880 (when he was 33 years old): New York (Manhattan) (2)
Arrived to the United States in 1873 (12)
Work
Occupation:
- Photographer (12).
- Leading french photographer (22)
- Photographer active circa 1870's 1880's (4). In this reference he is identified as "american photographer".
- Photographer active from 1870's to 1890's. Active in New York in 1876 and in France in 1880's-1890's (1).
- The older picture I have found by Albert Levy has the date 1905: "Ancienne et nouvelle Mairie d'Asnières" (3)
- He has a catalogue with all his work until 1887 with 2500 titles. (3)
Studies/shops:
- He had the following studies in New York- A study in 77 University Place, NY in 1870-1878 (23)
- A study in 4 Bond Street, NY in 1880 (2)
- A study in 34 1/2 Pine Street, NY in 1887 (3).
- At the same time he also had a study in France, 19 rue de la Chaussée-d'Antin, Paris (3).
- The Bibliothèque Nacionale de France also has another reference in 1901: "22 janvier 1901, A. Lévy, 4 av. Pinel, Asnières" (3)
He is also referenced as bookseller (2).
Manufacturer:
Albert Levy is referenced as the photographer who began the manufacture of the gelatin dry plates in 1878. All references can be found in the book Photography and the American Scene. A social history (1839-1889) by Robert Taft. See (5), (6), (7) and (8) for full text.
Albert Levy is also identified as "early competitor of Eastman, NYC" (9). This reference relates also to the book by Robert Taft (10).
Editor:
The Bibliothèque Nacionale the France (2) and the Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library (20) own a catalogue of 2500 titles by Albert Levy as editor in New York and Paris for Architectural photography.
Architect
There are some references that describe Albert Levy as an architect (11).
Artwork
"Today photography is universally included in the roster of the fine arts, and it is in the concept of a class of images defined as "documentary" that remains unresolved. I suggest that, while some photographs may be commission their work may wish to produce documents, this intention does not suffice to differentiate their work from other photographic images; the documentary character is not intrisic to the image. It is or is not in the eye of the beholder". Reference (17)
L'Architecture Americaine
The album by Albert Levy that you are reading in this section of photocollection.alonsorobisco.es. It is a serie of three architectural albums of in the United States. You can see the complete second serie in the following link. In 1975, it was published the book "American Victorian Architecture" (19) by Arnold Lewis and Keith Morgan. In this book, the three series of L'Architecture Americaine are studied in detail.
"In its 120 unusually fine photographs this book is a rare, contemporary look at Architecture in America in the 1870`s and 1880`s. It surveys a wide range of notable and curious examples of and interiors, concentrating on the architecture and architects of New York, Boston and Chicago. Originally published in Europe in 1886, it was one of the earliest and mos diversified studies of American architecture in th nineteenh century, an d perhaps the first recognition in Europe of the new forces emerging in American Architecture"
The photos neither have a number nor a signature to identify the photographer. However, the research done by the authors of this book demonstrates the photographer is Albert Levy. The Library of Congress of the United States also confirms this fact.
Nowadays, we can also confirm that these photos are part of the 673 photos from the United States included in "Albert Levy's Photographic Series" as we find out in Levy's Catalogue (3). In this case we have to highlight that the photos of the photographic series have a number which correspond to the one in the catalogue. These photographic series identify Albert Levy as the photographer.
"Recueil photographique des nouveilles habitations pittoreques de France urbaines et rurales en pierre, brique, bois, ..."
Another architectural album by Albert Levy that you have also in photocollection.alonsorobisco.es. It is also a three serie album with 36 photos each. The album you can see here in this web is the second serie. See the following link. The only other holder of any these series (in this case the three of them) is the "Culture France". (18)
Albert Levy's Photographic Series of Modern American Architecture. Due to these series, Albert Levy is referenced as counterpart for Alinari in the United States (13).
Albert Levy's Photographic Series of Modern American Architecture: Second Series, Country Dwellings. (16)
Albert Levy's Photographic Series of Modern American Architecture: Ninth Series, Street Fronts. (16)
Albert Levy's Photographic Series of Modern American Architecture: First Series, Private City Dwellings. (16)
Albert Levy's Photographic Series of Modern American Architecture: Fifth Series, Messrs. Vanderbilt's Mansions. (16)
Albert Levy's Photographic Series of Modern American Architecture: Tenth Series, Sea Shore Cottages and Country Houses. (16)
Albert Levy's Photographic Series of Modern American Architecture: Twelfth Series, Modern Street Architecture of Berlin, Street Fronts and Apartment Houses. (16)
Albert Levy's Photographic Series, the Fourteenth Series: Romanesque and Gothic Churches in the South of France (24)
Albert Levy's Photographic Series of Modern American Architecture: Sixteenth Series, American Private City Dwellings. (16)
Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series : Lévy, Albert. 1895 (16)
Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series: Twenty-fourth series.(Berne, Lucerne, Zurich and other Swiss cities and towns) (21)
Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series : Thirty-Fifth Series, Sea Shore Cottages And Country Houses, Bar Harbor, Mount Desert, Maine : Lévy, Albert. 1895 (16)
Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series: Thirty-First Series, Street Fronts, Stores, Office , Etc : Lévy, Albert. c1884 (15)
Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series : Thirty-Sixth Series, Sea-Shore Cottages, Etc., Newport, R.I., And Long Branch, N.J : Lévy, Albert. 1895 (15)
Albert Levy's Photographic Series Of Modern American Architecture. : Lévy, Albert. 1883
Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series: 3rd series, French Gothic and Renaissance, Civil and Domestic Architecture, New York: Albert Levy, 1884. (14)
Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series: 33rd series, American City and Country Residences, etc, New York: Albert Levy, 1884. (14)
Architectural Photographic Series, city houses/Levy: 1 album, 38 leaves of plates: photographs 36x46 cm. New York, Albert Levy (between 1880-1895?). (20).
Signature by Albert Levy in "Albert Levy's Architectural photographic series"
In some cases, in the Photographic series the Photographs are titled, numbered and mounted on blue card stock. The card stock is embossed
"Architectural & Decorative Books, Albert Levy, NY, 77, University".
Having a look at some of the photos of "Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic series" (see the HALIC archive of the Art Institute of Chicago in the web for more photos by Albert Levy (look for "Levy")) we can find that some of them are in "L'Architecture Americaine", which indicates that this album may be a collection of the "best of photographic series" to show his work in Europe (because the editor is French). As this album was edited in 1886 (19), some of the dates of the photographic series above could not be correct.
Levy Albert. Monmory, Felix.
Nouvelles Maisons à Loyer et Hôtels Particuliers à Paris, Comprenant Vues d'Ensemble, Plans et Details.
Paris. 1895. 2 vols. Folio. pp. 1. Volume 1 contains 28 photographic images & 22 plans; volume 2 contains 26 images & 24 plans. Green morocco-backed boards, gilt titles on spine, marbled end-papers.
A superb pictorial record of distinctive Parisian architecture. The list of plates details the houses or hotels on the streets, avenues or boulevards of Paris: d'Anjou, Cour la Reine, de Rome, Dumont d'Urville, Saint-Honore, Pierre Charon, Fortuny, Danton, Vaugirard, Siam, General Foy, & c. Also present is a list of the various architects involved in the design & construction: Thomas, Mewes, Lernoux, Gaillard, Sellevier, Alinot, Fouquiau, Brisson &c.
English cottages
Portfolio of views of English Cottages on the South Coast of England, at Birchington, Margate, Hastings and various other tows.
Constructions nouvelles: (20)
1 portfolio 2 leaves of text, 50 leaves of plates, 41 cm.
Title on leaf 1 : Constructions nouvelles: Maisons de rapport, hotels prives: album photographique.
Albumen silver print 36 photographs.
Title on leaf 2 Constructions nouvelles: Cyanotypes 50 photographies par Albert Levy
Paris E. Ducher. Libraire Editeur (between 1885-1895?)
Petites maisons de campagne photographies par Albert Levy. (20)
1 portfolio
1 leave of text 24 leaves of plates:photographes, 42 cm
Paris s.n. (between 1885-1895?)
Hotels prives en Amerique. (20)
1 portfolio
1 leaf of text
36 leaves of plates:photographs, 42 cm.
Paris Librairie de l`architecture et des arts industrielles Eugene Bigot (between 1900-1910?)
Habitations prives en Amerique. (20)
1 portfolio
2 leaves of text
36 leaves of plates: photograhes (cyanotypes), 41 cm
Various houses & villas, exteriors, Midi France. (20)
1 album
Albumen silver print
36 photographs
Holders of Albert Levy photos:
Boston Public Library
Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library --> link
Santa Barbara Museum of Art
Metropolitan Museum of Art --> http://www.metmuseum.org/Works_of_Art/department.asp?dep=19
Ministère de Culture France
George Eastman House
University of Winsconsin
Library of Congress --> They own the 2nd and 3rd serie of "L'Architecture Americaine" and they are looking for the 1st serie. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/ and look for "Albert Levy".
Jean Paul Getty Museum
University of Lousville
Cornell University
Architektur Sammlung of the Technische Hochschule in Munich. --> they own the three series of "L'Architecture Americaine".
Art institute of Chicago: More images by Albert Levy in the web! In its HALIC (Historical Architecture and Landscapes Image Collection) collection look for "Albert Levy" and you will find 97 photos by Albert Levy. You can also check in the old HALIC link and look for "Levy".
Unaccurate/missing data:
George Eastman House estimates that his place of birth is New York and his Nationality is American. Reference (2) confirms this is not correct.
The following sources have no data regarding Albert Levy's life and work (14):
Auer, Michèle and Michel. Encyclopédie Internationale des Photographes de 1839: Nos Jours, Hermance, Switzerland: Editions Camera Obscura, 1985.
Bajac, Quentin. The Abrams Encyclopedia of Photography, New York: Abrams, 2004.
Bann, Stephen. Parallel Lines: Printmakers, Painters and Photographers in 19th Century France, New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2001.
Naggar, Carole. Dictionnaire des Photographs, Paris: Seuil, 1982
Steele, Chris and Ronald Polito. A Directory of Massachusetts Photographers, 1839-1900, Camden, ME: Picton Press, 1993.
Witkin, Lee D. The Photograph Collector’s Guide, Boston: New York Graphic Society, 1979.
ART INSTITUTE OF CHICHAGO PICTURES:
The art institute of Chicago has 97 photos of the Albert Levy's Architectural photographic series available online at:
See below the complete list of vintage houses of the United States by Albert Levy in the Art Institute of Chicago:
| Residence | City | State | Architect | Albert Levy' data |
| Appleton, Thomas G., Residence | Newport | Rhode Island | Hunt, Richard Morris | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 209 |
| Baldwin, C.H., Residence | Newport | Rhode Island | Potter and Robinson | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 154 |
| Bishop, H.R., Residence | New York City | New York | Clinton, Charles W. | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 72 |
| Boylston Block | Boston | Massachusetts | Wight, P.B. (Peter Bonnett) | Albert Levy, photographer |
| Bradstreet Merchantile Agency | Boston | Massachusetts | Unknown | Albert Levy, photographer |
| Broadway and Exchange Place | New York City | New York | Unknown | Albert Levy, photographer |
| Bryant and Stratton School | Boston | Massachusetts | Unknown | Albert Levy, photographer |
| Casino, The | Newport | Rhode Island | McKim, Mead & White | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 201 |
| Casino, The | Newport | Rhode Island | McKim, Mead & White | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 168 |
| Baldwin, C.C., Residence,Chateau Nooga | Newport | Rhode Island | Post, George Browne | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 156 |
| Church of the Covenant | Boston | Massachusetts | Upjohn, Richard | Albert Levy, photographer |
| Collegiate Dutch Reformed Church | New York City | New York | Smith, W. Wheeler | Albert Levy, photographer |
| Drayton, J. Coleman, Residence | New York City | New York | McKim, Mead & White | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 73 |
| Girard Life Insurance Annuity and Trust Company | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | Unknown | Albert Levy, photographer |
| Guernsey Building | New York City | New York | Hunt, Richard Morris | Albert Levy, photographer |
| Higginson, Francis Lee, Residence | Boston | Massachusetts | Richardson, Henry Hobson | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 33, No. 744 |
| Hutchinson, William J., Residence | New York City | New York | Post, George Browne | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 273 |
| Kent, Sidney A., Residence | Chicago | Illinois | Burnham and Root | Albert Levy, photographer |
| Montgomery Building | Boston | Massachusetts | Cummings and Sears | Albert Levy, photographer |
| Office Building | Troy | New York | Post, George Browne | Albert Levy, photographer |
| Country House No.1 | Beverly | Massachusetts | Unknown | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 200 |
| Residence | Unidentified | Unidentified | J.W. Taylor | Albert Levy, photographer |
| Residence 38th St. near Madison Ave. | New York City | New York | Ware and Van Brunt | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 1, No. 147 |
| Residence 55th St. near Fifth Ave. | New York City | New York | Haight, Charles Coolidge | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 1, No. 133 |
| Residence House No. 4 12 Fairfield St. | Boston | Massachusetts | Cabot and Chandler | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 1, No. 162 |
| Residence 68th St. and Park Ave. | New York City | New York | Harney, George E. | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 1, No. 146 |
| Residence House No. 3 | Boston [Back Bay] | Massachusetts | Lewis, W. Whitney | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 1, No. 172 |
| Residence Country House No. 1 76 High St. | Brookline | Massachusetts | Luce, Clarence S. | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 175 |
| Residence Country House No. 1 | Boston [Jamaica Plain] | Massachusetts | Stephenson, H.M. | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 192 or 194 |
| Residence No. 9 | Boston [Dorchester] | Massachusetts | Unknown | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 178 |
| Residence Country House No. 1 76 High St. | Brookline | Massachusetts | Luce, Clarence S. | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 176 |
| Residence Country House No. 3 101 Forest Hill St. | Boston [Jamaica Plain] | Massachusetts | Emerson, William Ralph | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 184 |
| Residence House No. 4 135 St. | Boston [Back Bay] | Massachusetts | Cabot and Chandler | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 61 |
| Residence No. 7 1 Melville Ave. | Boston [Dorchester] | Massachusetts | Cabot and Chandler | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 204 |
| Residence Country House No. 4 | Boston [Jamaica Plain] | Massachusetts | Stephenson, H.M. | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 189 |
| Residence House No. 1 | Boston [Back Bay] | Massachusetts | Peabody & Stearns | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, image 56 |
| Residence Country House No. 2 | Boston [Jamaica Plain] | Massachusetts | Stephenson, H.M. | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 182 |
| Residence Country House No. 2 | Boston [Jamaica Plain] | Massachusetts | Stephenson, H.M. | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 183 |
| Residence 340 [next door to] | Boston | Massachusetts | Allen and Kenway | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 62 |
| Residence House No. 2 | Boston [Back Bay] | Massachusetts | Cummings and Sears | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 58 |
| Residence No. 7 1 Melville Ave. | Boston [Dorchester] | Massachusetts | Cabot and Chandler | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 203 |
| Residence 311 Saint Paul St. | Baltimore | Maryland | Cassel, Charles E. | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 60 |
| Country Residence | Beverly | Massachusetts | Cabot and Chandler | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 206 |
| Residence | Newport | Rhode Island | Luce, Clarence S. | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 202 |
| Residence 912 St. | Washington | District of Columbia | Gray and Page | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 64 |
| Residence 487 St. ? | Unidentified | Unidentified | Unknown | Albert Levy, photographer |
| Residence | Cleveland | Ohio | Peabody & Stearns | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 33, No. 768 |
| Residence Madison Avenue | New York City | New York | Kendall, Edward Hale | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 68 |
| Residence 724 Fifth Ave. | New York City | New York | McKim, Mead & White | Albert Levy, photographer |
| Residence House nº 2 | Newport | Rhode Island | Unknown | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 191 |
| Residence Fifth Avenue | New York City | New York | Kendall, Edward Hale | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 71 |
| Residence | Chicago | Illinois | Unknown | Albert Levy, photographer |
| Residence 724 Fifth Ave. | New York City | New York | McKim, Mead & White | Albert Levy, photographer |
| Residence Country House nº 2 Pride's Crossing | Beverly | Massachusetts | Cabot and Chandler | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 180 |
| Residence Country House No.1 Pride's Crossing | Beverly | Massachusetts | Unknown | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 199 |
| Residence Country House No.1 Pride's Crossing | Beverly | Massachusetts | Unknown | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 198 |
| Residence with store on ground floor | Boston [Dorchester] | Massachusetts | Lewis, W. Whitney | Albert Levy, photographer |
| Residences Walnut St. | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | Chandler, Theophilus Parsons, Jr. | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 63 |
| Residences Fifth Avenue | New York City | New York | Lamb & Rich | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 66 |
| Residences 10 W. 54th St. | New York City | New York | Robertson, R.H. | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 271 |
| Residences 32 75th St. | New York City | New York | Kendall, Edward Hale | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 276 |
| Residences 68th St. | New York City | New York | Unknown | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 79 |
| Residences Madison Ave. [possibly at E. 67th St.] | New York City | New York | Lamb & Wheeler | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 70 |
| Residences 69th St. | New York City | New York | Ware, James E. | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 59 |
| Residences Fifth Avenue | New York City | New York | Lamb & Rich | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 67 |
| Residences 10 W. 54th St. | New York City | New York | Robertson, R.H. | Albert Levy, photographer |
| Residence Goelet, Robert and Ogden, Residences | New York City | New York | Kendall, Edward Hale | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 275 |
| Residences Fifth Avenue | New York City | New York | Robertson, R.H. | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 69 |
| Residences 50 54th St. | New York City | New York | Robertson, R.H. | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 272 |
| Roosevelt, Theodore, Sr., Residence 6 W. 57th St. | New York City | New York | Sturgis, Russell | Albert Levy, photographer |
| Rowhouses State St. or Hudson Ave. | Albany | New York | Fuller and Wheeler | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 57 |
| Sard, Grange, Jr., Residence 397 State St. | Albany | New York | Richardson, Henry Hobson | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 33, No. 759 |
| Stables | Newport | Rhode Island | Hunt, Richard Morris | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 208 |
| Stables Country House No.1 Pride's Crossing | Beverly | Massachusetts | Unknown | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 197 |
| Store Building Babcock, John B., and Co. Building | Boston | Massachusetts | Thayer, S.J.F. | Albert Levy, photographer |
| Store 39-47 | Boston | Massachusetts | Unknown | Albert Levy, photographer |
| Temple Court 119-129 Nassau St. and 5 Beekman St. | New York City | New York | Sillman and Farnsworth | Albert Levy, photographer |
| Tilden, Samuel J., Residence 15 Gramercy Park | New York City | New York | Vaux & Radford | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 274 |
| Trinity Church, Rectory 233 Clarendon St. | Boston | Massachusetts | Richardson, Henry Hobson | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 1, No. 166 |
| Trinity Church, Rectory 233 Clarendon St. | Boston | Massachusetts | Richardson, Henry Hobson | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 1, No. 157 |
| Vanderbilt, Cornelius, II, Residence | New York City | New York | Post, George Browne | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 77 |
| Vanderbilt, Cornelius, II, Residence f Fifth Ave. and 57th St | New York City | New York | Post, George Browne | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 7 |
| Vanderbilt, William Henry, Residence Vanderbilt Twins | New York City | New York | Trench & Snook,Atwood, Charles B. | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 65 |
| Vanderbilt, William Henry, Residence Vanderbilt Twins | New York City | New York | Trench & Snook,Atwood, Charles B. | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 74 |
| Vanderbilt, William K., Residence,660 Fifth Ave. at 52nd St. | New York City | New York | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 75 | |
| Vanderbilt, William K., Residence,660 Fifth Ave. at 52nd St. | New York City | New York | Hunt, Richard Morris | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 76 |
| Wall Street Orient Insurance Company Building | New York City | New York | Thorp, Alfred,Clinton and Pirsson | Albert Levy, photographer |
| Wall Street Queens Insurance Company Building | New York City | New York | Clinton and Pirsson, Post, George B. | Albert Levy, photographer |
| Winans, Ross R., Residence 1217 Saint Paul St. | Baltimore | Maryland | McKim, Mead & White | Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 33, No. 757 |
Discovering Albert Levy
Follow this link for a better understanding on all Albert Levy's findings over the last years. (or check the PDF).
A personal view on Albert Levy's work
Follow this link for a better understanding of Albert Levy's artwork, how was it developed, artistic perspectives and historical comparassions. (or check the PDF).
Albert Levy's catalogue until 1887
The Bibliotheque Nacional de France (BNF) owns the whole Catalogue of Albert Levy photography until 1887.
You can see full scans of the catalogue in the BNF (Gallica project)
In this catalogue, with 2500 titles, we can find the following information:
Catalogue de Photographies D`Architecture
Européenne & Américaine
Ancienne et Moderne
Extérieurs
Intérieurs
Sculptures
Meubles
Décorations
Etc., Etc
Albert Levy
19,rue de la Chausee-d`Antin 19
Paris
34 ½ Pine Street
New York
Janvier 1887.
Je réclame pour ma collection de photographies, aujourd`hui composée de plus de 2500 sujets différents, et qui s’augmentera progressivement :
1º La bon choix des sujets ;
2º La qualité et la finesse des détail ;
3º Une conservation indéfinie ;
4º L`uniformité de grandeur
5º Le prix modéré
********************************************
Reproductions de toutes sortes de commande :
extérieurs, intérieurs,
meubles, sculptures, etc., etc., dessins d’architectes, etc.,
reproductions au papier Ferro- Prussiate
Prix modérés et sur demande
D`un format uniforme 20cent. Sur 25 cent.
Composition
France, Architecture Ancienne
Elne, Montmajour, Arles, Toulouse ,Narbonne,, Angoulême, Albi, Avignon, Bordeaux, Tarascon, Poitiers, Ruffec, St. Gilles, Villeneuve-les-Avignons, Beaucaire, Azay-le Rideau, Saumur, Mont-St.- Michel, St. Brienne, Angers, Rennes, Vitré, Tours, Plessis-les-Tours, Amboise, Le Mans, Beaugeney, Loches, Orleans, Beaulieu, Langeais, Chenonceaux, St. Antonin, Périgueux, Angoulême, Senlis, Chars, Laon, Crépy-en Valois, Soissons, Amiens, Abbeville, Nîmes, Perpignan, Paris.
264 photos
Versailles Vues d`Intérieurs et d`Extérieurs des Palais de Trianon
227 photos
Blois Vues d`Intérieurs et d`Extérieurs de Château de Blois
133 photos
Chateau de Chaumont
12 photos
Château de Chambord
23 photos
Angoulême
9 photos
Château D`Azay-le Rideau
7 photos
Château de Chenonceaux
8 photos
Amboise
16 photos
Angers
16 photos
Tours
28 photos
Poitiers
25 photos
Moisacc
84 photos
Montmajour
12 photos
Elne
24 photos
Arles
35 photos
Carcasonne
27 photos
France Architecture moderne
42 photos
Italie
Rome
105 photos
Florence
95 photos
Orvieto
4 photos
Pise
33 photos
Sienne
46 photos
Belgique
121 photos
Anglaterre
42 photos
Allemagne
172 photos
Hollande
41 photos
Autriche
78 photos
Amerique du Nord
Maisons prives
Washigton,Baltimore, Boston,New York, Philadelphia,Albany,Chicago, Cleveland, Brooklyn N.Y.,Rochester, Buffalo,Detroit.Cincinatti.
207 photos
Maisons de campagne
Elberon, Long Branch,Orange,Hartford,Newport, Dorcester, Pride Crossing, Jamaica Plain, Beverly fram, Cincinatti,North Easton, Milwaukee, Cleveland,Bar Harbor,Monmouth Beach, Stokem`s N.J., Manchester Mss., Longwood Mass,Cambridge Mass., Mount Auburn, o, Walnut hills, Avondale. Buffalo, Lafayette, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Mount Desert.
231 photos
Maisons de commerce et a loyer
Boston, Albany, Chicago, New York, Baltimore,Cincinatti, Pittsburg,
40 photos
Maisons de banque et de bureaux
New York, Albany, Boston, Chicago, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Cambridge mass,
43 photos
Edifices publics divers
Baltimore, New York, Washigton, North easton, Nouevelle Orleans, Boston, Topeka, St. Louis, Woburn, Little Rock,Providence, Avondale, Haartford
72 photos
Interieurs divers
North Easton, Albany, New York, Washington,Detroit, Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago
36 photos
Eglises etc
Boston, Philadelphia. New York, Detroit, ST. Louis, Chicago, Hartford.
44 photos
Suisse
25 photos
American Architects in Albert Levy's catalogue
This is the list of architects that can be found in Albert Levy's catalogue when describing the in the United States.
Maisons prives Maisons de comerce et loyer Maisons de campagne Allen et Kenway C. Peiffer Arthur Little Bruce Price C.L. Carson Bruce Price Burham et Root C.W. Romeyn Burham et Root C. Fehmer Cook et Babb C.a. Wallingford C.E. Cassell D. Adler C.s. Luce C.M. Palmer H. Fernbach Cabot et Chandler C.S. Luce H. Kafka Cobb et Frost Cabot et Chandler H.H. Richardson Coburn et Barnum Cobb et Frost J.F. Steen E.A.P. Newcomb Cudell et Richardson J.M. Slade E.P. Treadwell Chas. B. Atwood Peabody and Stearns F.C. Withers D. Adler Potter et Robertson G. Keller E.H. Kendall S.Hannaford G.B. Post E.T. Potter S.J.F. Thayer G.H. Smith F.K. Schock W. Schickel G.W. Lloyd G.B. Post W.W. Smith H.E. Ficken G.E. Harney-Mckim Maisons de Banque et de Bureaux H.H. Richardson Geo. Edbrook Bradlee, Winslow et Wetherell H.M. Stephenson Herter freres Burham et Root J. Douglas J.C. Cady Cabot et Chandler J.A Schweinfurth J.G. Hill Cook et Babb J.A. Fox J.H. Besarick D. Adler J.F. Steen J.H. Moore E.H. Chandler J.G. Cutler J.J. Flanders E.H. Kendall J.H. Besarick J.L. Silsbee F. H. Kimball J.L. Silsbee J.M. Van Osdel G.B. Post J.W.Mclaughlin J.W. McLaughlin G.E. Harney Kimball et Wisedell L.T. Scofield G.R. Et R.G. Shaw Lamb et Wheeler Lamb et Wheeler Geo. Edbrook Mason et Rice Mckim, Mead et White Hartwell et Richardson McKim, Mead et White Mead et Bigelow J.C. Cady P.J.Boticher Peabody et Stearns J.J. Flanders Peabody and Stearns R.H. Robertson J.W.McLaughlin Potter et Robertson R.M. Hunt Peabody and Stearns R.M. Hunt S. Hannaford R.M. Hunt S. Hannaford S.S. Godley Russell Sturgis S.Edwin Toby Scwarzmann et Buchman Silliman et Farnsworth V.C. Taylor Sturgis et Brigham Th. P Chandler W. Scott et Cie Th.P. Chandler W.H. Dennis W.A. Bates Treat et Foltz W.L.B. Jenney W.A. Potter Vaux et Radford W.W. Boyington W.R. Emerson -W. Scott et Cie Wheeler et Clay W.R. Emerson W. Schickel Wm. G. Preston W.Whitney lewis W.L.B. Jenney Edifices Publics Divers Eglises etc W.R. Emerson Burham et Root C.H. Marsh W.W. Lewis F. U. Walter Fernbach et Eidlitz Ware et Van Brunt F.H. Kimball G.W.Lloyd Wheelock et clay Fuller et Laver Geo. F. Meacham Wyatt et Sperry G.a. Clough H.A. Sims G.B. Post H.H. Richardson G.J. Metzger Hartwell et Richardson H.H. Richardson J. Notman J. C. Cady J.W. McLaughlin J.G. Hill P.C. Keely J.J. Flanders Peabody and Stearns J.W. McLaughlin R.H. Robertson JH. Wolters R.M. Upjohn Kimball et Wisedel Th. P. Chandler L.J. O`Connor W.A. Potter McKim, Mead et White W.W. Smith Peabody and Stearns Interieurs divers R.M. Upjohn A.Fiedler S.J.F. Thayer G.W. Lloyd Sturgis et Brigham G.W. Lloyd W.A. Potter H.H. Richardson W.M. Poindexter H.J. Schwarzmann & Co W.w. Boyington J.H. Duncan Ware et Van Brunt L. Eidlitz Wheelock et Clay L.T. Scofield Wilson Freres Peabody and Stearns
References:
(1) - George Eastman House
(2) - 1880's United States Federal Census
(3) - Bibliothèque Nacionale de France
(4) - "International guide to the nineteenth century photographers and their works", by Gary Edward. (Boston: G.K. Hall, 1988)
(5) - "Photography and the American Scene. A social history (1839-1889)" by Robert Taft. New York, Dover, 1964. 'He (John Carbutt) was preceded in this effort, as far as I can definitely ascertain, only by Albert Levy of New York, who began the manufacture of gelatin dry plates in 1878'. Page 371.
(6) - "Photography and the American Scene. A social history (1839-1889)" by Robert Taft. New York, Dover, 1964. 'Mention of the Levy dry plates and cameras can be found in Philadelphia Photographer v.16, p. 95 (1879). As the notice appears early in 1879 and states that Levy is well known for his dry plates, it is quite evident that he was making them as early as 1878 and possibly sooner.' Here is described where Taft found the reference. Page 503.
(7) - "Photography and the American Scene. A social history (1839-1889)" by Robert Taft. New York, Dover, 1964. 'In fact the earliest manufacturers of dry plates (Levy and Carbutt) sold their products rather largely to amateurs. Early in 1879, Levy followed up his plates with a small camera designed for amateurs trade. This was described as “a unique little camera for dry plates- and he (Levy) offers camera and lens for $12.00 for plates 4x5 inches: For this sum a half a dozen plates, developer, pyro, and hypo are included, with full instructions for working the same". The following year T.H Blair of Chicago place on the market a camera for “amateurs photographers, college boys and artists “ which became well known.'. Page 375.
(8) - "Photography and the American Scene. A social history (1839-1889)" by Robert Taft. New York, Dover, 1964. 'The Levy and Blair cameras brought in a host of others, and E. and H. T. Anthony, and the Scovill Manufacturing Company, among the largest or the American photographic houses, were quick to follow with similar device.' Page 375.
(9) - Eastman-Butterfield Collection
(10) - "Photography and the American Scene. A social history (1839-1889)" by Robert Taft. New York, Dover, 1964. '[...] credits him with making first dry plates in U.S., for amateur and personal use. Also put out #12 camera in 1879'. Page 371.
(11) - Ministère de Culture de France
(12) - New York Passengers list 1820-1957.
(13) - "Photographic Documentation and : Relationships Past and Present" by Phyllis Lambert. At the beginning you can read: 'There seems little doubt that the centennial encouraged a flowering of pride in American architecture, of which the most interesting example is provided by the American counterpart to Alinari, Albert Levy, who published a photographic series on architecture in the 1880...'. See pdf for more information.
(14) - Boston Public Library.
(15) - Art Institute of Chicago (HALIC archive).
(16) - Centre Canadien d'Architecture
(17) - "On the Origins of Architectural photography", by James S. Ackerman (Centre Canadien d'Architecture). See pdf.
(18) - Culture France. Joconde archive. See pdf for print screens of the data in the web.
(19) - "American Victorian Architecture", by Arnold Lewis. Dover publications, 1975
(20) - Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library.
(21) - Kansas State Library
(22) - "Contestating images (Photography and the World's Columbian Exposition)", by Julie K. Brown (The University of Arizona Press. Tucson & London). Pag. 153. ( notes to pages 93-96). 'The response by the Ways and Means Committee of the Chicago Board to Sir Henry Trueman Wood, British Commissioner to the Fair, was reproduced along with a letter by Albert Levy, a leading french photographer, protestating the imposition of such regulations. "Photographing at the Chicago Exhibition" American Photographer 5 ( March 1893): 135; see also A. N., "The Possibilities of the World's Fair" Photo Beacon 5 (Feb 1893): 47-49'
(23) - New York City directories (Levy, Albert, photographer. Books).
(24) - Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections. 2B Carl A. Kroch Library, Cornell University. Ithaca, NY 14853
