This week, the Public Domain Review (PDR) posted [1] a series of hand-colored albumen prints that date back to 19th-century Japan. Albumen is a process that used egg whites to bind the photographic chemicals to the paper.
The prints, uploaded by the Dutch National Archieff, offer a glimpse of life in Japan some 150 years ago. Take a look:
Samurai with bow and arrow, helmets, swords, spears and coats of mail. Public Domain
Three Japanese women styling hair, taken around 1880. Public Domain
Fishermen on a boat. Japan, around 1870-1890. Public Domain
Two women sleeping under a padded coat / blanket in a room with painted screen, scrolled painting and paper lantern. The cushion is a small wooden box. Public Domain
Messenger or postman delivering the mail clasped in the end of a split bamboo pole. Japan, around 1868-1895. Public Domain
Garden view from the open porch of a Japanese tearoom. Public Domain
Mendicant with staff, begging bowl and pointed hat. Public Domain
View more images from the series of 42 [2]hand-coloured albumine prints from Spaarnestad Photo by Felice Beato, Kusakabe Kimbei or Raimund baron von Stillfried.