Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum > Records

First World War Postcard of 'Ras El Tin Palace', Alexandria

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Cairo Postcard Trust

1900 - 1919

Overview

A sepia-coloured artistic postcard showing a large ornate three storey building set on the shores of a sea. The building has many rectangular windows on its front and sides. A circular columned entrance can be seen with a large dome atop. In front of this appears to be a boat landing area. There are low walls encasing most of the building and at the left-hand side of the image there appears to be a light house. Three berthed boats can be seen in the foreground of the image ; one possible a long motorboat that has a canopy and two feluccas with their sails rolled up. 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. Along Alexandria's western shore is Ras El Tin Palace, which is among the oldest palaces in Egypt and historic monuments in Alexandria. Originally built in the 1830s for Egyptian ruler Mohammed Ali, it has served as an official presidential residence and during the Second World War, King Farouk quartered the British Forces in the Palace and hence it became seat and hospital of the British Naval Command. It is now part of a naval base.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-12-2022.1.142

Item type

Postcards

Themes

War and Conflict > World War 1

Material

Card

Width

135 mm

Height or length

87 mm

Inscriptions and markings

In machine printing, on the front “Palais Ras-El-Tin - Alexandrie”. On the reverse “Carte Postale / Union Postale Universelle / SERIE 210 / THE CAIRO POSTCARD TRUST - CAIRO 54519.”

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.

Keywords

First World War

Egypt

Place made

Egypt

Year

1900 - 1919

Primary significance criteria

Historic significance

Comparative significance criteria

Interpretive capacity

Well provenanced