Ceylon c.1890’s Original Large Photographs Showing Tea Estates

A very interesting group of six original photographs showing unidentified tea estates (c.1890’s) all affixed down onto old thick card leaves and applied back-to-back.

The main image shows a tea factory, possibly nearly constructed(?), the local workers lined-up outside - one holding a tea chest above his head which shows the indistinct painted name of the estate(?) with “Ceylon” underneath (see photo). The western owner/manager stands holding a small animal and possibly a gun. Approx. 275x213mm., a 30mm tear in upper edge and surface wrinkles., soiling etc. The reverse side shows a damaged photograph of the ship, RMS Ophir, which entered service in 1891 and which would seem to suggest the tea estate photographs date from the 1890’s.

The second photograph shows a very similar (or the same) tea factory as mentioned above - a distinctive water wheel at the end of the three-storey building, though taken from distance and showing signs of tea plants on the hillside. The third view affixed to the reverse is a hillside view with buildings scattered amongst the trees, and shows signs that trees have been cut-down in the foreground. Both approx. 275x213mm., some peripheral nicks, surface wrinkling, staining, etc.

The fourth photograph is of a large single-storey house/dwelling in a clearing, and with other smaller building in the background. Approx. 213x275mm., lightly discoloured. Affixed to the reverse are images five (above, 153x105mm.) showing a three-storey tea factory under construction, and image six (below, 200x150mm.) showing a different three-storey tea factory. Both in good condition.