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Original early-20th-century H.C. White Co. “Perfec” stereograph #4733, depicting the celebrated fountains and Imperial Palace at Peterhof, Russia.
The original printed caption reads:
“4733 Avenue of Fountains and the Imperial Palace, Peterhof, Russia.”
Copyright 1901 by H.C. White Co.
The stereoscopic view looks along Peterhof’s monumental fountain and canal axis toward the Grand Peterhof Palace, one of the principal imperial residences of the Russian tsars.
This exact H.C. White #4733 view is documented in the photographic collection of the Peterhof State Museum-Reserve, where the scene is identified as the Grand/Samson Canal looking toward the Grand Peterhof Palace.
The reverse carries an extensive period description printed in multiple languages, discussing Peterhof Palace, its gardens and fountains, the canal, Grand Cascade and famous Samson Fountain.
The photograph has additional historical interest as a pre-Revolutionary and pre-WWII record of Peterhof. The palace and park suffered enormous destruction during World War II; the Grand Palace was burned and heavily damaged, while the historic Samson sculpture was lost and later reconstructed using old photographs and drawings.
Although the image is copyrighted 1901, the mount is marked:
The “PERFEC” STEREOGRAPH
Patented April 14, 1903
H.C. WHITE CO., PUBLISHERS — London, New York, Paris
Accordingly, the photograph dates from 1901 while this particular mounted issue was produced circa 1903 or later.
Condition: Antique condition with expected age toning, scattered surface scratches/rubbing to the photographic images, and wear along the edges and corners of the mount. Printed multilingual text remains present on the reverse. Please review all photographs carefully for exact condition.
A strong original photographic view for collectors of Imperial Russia, Peterhof, Romanov-era history, St. Petersburg, Russian architecture, antique travel photography and stereoviews.
