Iran perse

1928 · ABC_50475 — Iran 1928. Oblong album 24.5 x 29.6 cm. Mid-19th-century bright blue faux-leather the front board features a pictorial on-lay within a rectangular frame the illustration depicts a young woman in traditional costume holding a large ceramic vessel. The joints are laced through onto 2 supports. With 19 black and white photographs ca. 23.1 x 17.1 cm on thick dark blue/black paper. 9 ll. Collection of 19 engineering photographs taken in Iran dating from ca. 1928 to 1930 CE. The majority of the images are annotated with the year 1308 AH 1929-1930 CE while only photograph 7 is dated 1307 AH 1928-1929 CE.The album documents large-scale engineering works and urban modernisation in Iran during the early years of the Pahlavi dynasty 1925-1941 under Reza Shah Pahlavi 1878-1944. In this period cities such as Tabriz underwent significant restructuring and infrastructural development as part of broader state-led reforms.The photographs depict surveying activities including measuring instruments mounted on tripods uniformed officials and extensive reconstruction works. Several photographs are identifiable as views of Tabriz including the development of the Gaji Gate Darb-e Gajil in December 1929 Ahrap Ahrab Street and Munjam Street under construction. Other views show street levelling and widening works illustrating the transformation of older urban quarters into broader modern thoroughfares.Further noteworthy subjects include railway works and one photograph taken in Jafarabad shows several men wearing a combination of traditional clothing including papakha-style headgear and Western clothing reflecting the broader cultural transition of the period. The present work therefore stands as an informative visual record of early 20th-century Iranian engineering urban renewal and state modernisation.With some glue staining to the dark blue paper on several pages. A few photographs show minor marginal wear not affecting the images themselves. The final photograph is not mounted on the album paper but on a separate piece of card and is loosely inserted. Otherwise in good condition.l Cf. Tofigh Kouzehkanani & Zelef "Towards extroverted urbanism: Haussmannization and building a new urban identity in Tabriz 1925-1942" ITU AZ 22 3 2025 pp. 559-577 hardcover