First World War Postcard of 'Bazaar Near Fort Napoleon', Alexandria

1900 - 1919
Overview

A sepia-coloured artistic postcard showing a busy dirt street with stalls and shops on both sides and a formal building with a tall minaret situated on a hill overlooking the area. There are a large number of men and women in the street both walking along and standing by different stalls. Some of the men are wearing local dress and others suits and ties with a fez as headwear. A horse drawn carriage can be seen as well as a donkey. At the front of the image is a small boy looking direct at the image taker. He is making a salute and appears to be disabled with his right leg not visible in the picture. The postcard is in very good condition with no damage. The left side edge has perforations that suggest it was separated from another card. The front is printed with a description of the image, and the reverse has proforma printing.

Historical information

Alexandrie is the French spelling of Alexandria. Alexandria played an important role as one of the Allies’ support bases for the Dardanelles attack, both before the landings in Turkey on 25 April 1915 and as a medical centre during the long months of fighting, with the wounded and sick being transported by hospital ships. Bonaparte’s army seized Alexandria in July 1798. The French raised up the old fortifications, the so called ‘Arabic walls’ and created a network of five (5) forts all around and inside the city. In addition to these is Fort Caffarelli, (Fort Napoleon) a more important fort located in the city in a high and very commanding position; which was completed in 1799.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-12-2022.1.141
Item type
Postcards
Material
Card
Width
135 mm
Height or length
87 mm
Inscriptions and markings

In machine printing, on the front “Fort Napoleon - Alexandrie”. On the reverse “Carte Postale / Union Postale Universelle / SERIE 210 / THE CAIRO POSTCARD TRUST - CAIRO 54525.”

Contextual information

The Cairo Postcard Trust (founded in the early 20th century) is one of the most famous and trusted publishers of vintage Egyptian postcards. These highly collectible, antique photographs and artistic illustrations document the golden age of travel in Cairo, capturing historical landmarks, bustling streets, and the pyramids

Place made
Egypt
Primary significance criteria
Historic significance
Comparative significance criteria
Interpretive capacity
Well provenanced
Google Maps search term / URL
https://maps.app.goo.gl/gWHZtRH1mm24SAjK8
Last modified
Wednesday, 5 August, 2026
Completeness
100
Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum

Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum

Postcard Front
Bazaar Near Fort Napoleon, Alexandria
Rear View of Postcard
Reverse of Postcard

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