340.00€
Achilleas E. Pachtikos (Αχιλλέας Ε. Παχτίκος) – Εικονογραφημένη Αφρική, Τόμος Β΄ (Illustrated Africa, Volume II) – Cairo, 1938
A rare and impressive illustrated historical album documenting the Greek presence and Hellenism across the African continent during the early 20th century.
This substantial volume, published in Cairo in 1938, provides a fascinating visual and documentary record of Greek communities, entrepreneurs, businesses, clubs, associations and notable personalities throughout Africa.
The volume contains material relating to regions including Egypt, Rhodesia, Sudan, the Tanganyika Territory, Mozambique and the Belgian Congo, among others. It offers an unusual insight into the activities and communities of the Greek diaspora during the interwar period.
The extensive photographic material makes this particularly interesting not only as a Greek-language publication, but also as a historical source for African history, Greek diaspora studies, genealogy, social history, commerce and historical photography.
Author: Achilleas E. Pachtikos (Αχιλλέας Ε. Παχτίκος)
Title: Εικονογραφημένη Αφρική
Volume: Β΄ (II)
English title: Illustrated Africa
Publication year: 1938
Place: Cairo, Egypt
Language: Greek
Format: Large quarto
Approx. dimensions: 32.5 cm × 24.5 cm
Pagination: Unpaginated; approximately 700+ pages
Illustrations: Profusely illustrated with vintage photographic material
Binding: Original textured green cloth with gilt decoration and Greek lettering
The publisher is not explicitly stated in the present volume. It may be associated with the Ermis Publishing House of Cairo, as Volume I of Εικονογραφημένη Αφρική, published in 1933, is attributed to Ermis and to Pachtikos. This publisher attribution is therefore given cautiously and should not be regarded as definitive for this particular volume.
The volume is housed in an exceptionally attractive original forest-green textured cloth binding, decorated with a gold-gilt palm tree motif and elegant Greek lettering.
The book retains its traditional side stitching / binding cord, contributing to its distinctive archival appearance.
Of particular note are the numerous photographic illustrations, including folded advertisement/photo tables and large multi-fold photographic compositions, among them views relating to Victoria Falls and the Egyptian Parliament.
Pachtikos’ work provides a remarkable snapshot of the Greek communities established throughout Africa in the first half of the 20th century.
The book records aspects of Greek commercial and community life, including businesses, entrepreneurs, organizations, clubs and prominent individuals. It is therefore of interest to collectors and researchers concerned with:
Greek diaspora and Hellenism · African history · Egypt · colonial-era Africa · genealogy · Greek entrepreneurship · historical photography · travel and exploration · social history
The combination of its large format, extensive photographic content, Greek-language text and subject matter makes this an unusual and highly collectible volume.
Good antique condition overall.
The original green leather binding remains attractive, with the textured surface, gilt palm-tree decoration and Greek lettering still present. There is age-related rubbing and wear to the binding, edges and corners, together with wear to the original binding cord, consistent with the age and substantial size of the volume.
The interior shows natural age toning and foxing throughout. A small number of leaves have torn or worn edges. There are signs of handling and age commensurate with a book published in 1938.
No missing pages have been noted.
The book remains structurally complete and is an impressive display piece.
Please study all photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the description and show the actual condition of this particular copy. Any visible imperfections should be considered part of the item’s antique condition.
This is a substantial and visually striking historical volume documenting a relatively specialised subject: the Greek presence across Africa during the interwar period. It should appeal particularly to collectors of Greek history and diaspora material, African studies, historical photography, genealogy and rare illustrated books.
