First World War Postcard of ‘Old Cairo and Ficus Trees’, Cairo

1900 - 1919
Overview

A black and white artistic postcard depicting a pathway alongside a waterway lined with large Ficus trees. The pathway is elevated above the water level and there is a brick wall from the edge of the path to the water. The pathway has a railing along the waterside edge presumably as safety for anyone on the path and the other side of the pathway is lined with grass. Beyond this grass is a road with a horse and cart riding along. There are 3 men and 2 women walking on the pathway towards the image taker. The waterway has some sandy / grass banks on both sides and there are also buildings on the opposite side and a bridge in the distance crossing the water. The postcard has slight damage to its corners and a small oil stain at the bottom edge that shows front and back. The front is printed with a description of the image, and the reverse is a pale green colour with dirt marks visible and proforma printing.

Historical information

It is possible that this image is of the Ismailia Canal with the Ismailia Palace on the opposite shore of the waterway.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-12-2022.1.164
Item type
Postcards
Material
Card
Width
140 mm
Height or length
89 mm
Inscriptions and markings

In machine printing, on the front “234 CAIRO. – Old Cairo. – Ficus. - LL.”. On the reverse “234 LE CAIRE. – Les Ficus du Vieux Caire. – LL.“

Contextual information

Léon & Lévy was a French photographic studio founded in 1864. The studio transformed into a postcard publisher and was incorporated under the trademark of LL in 1901. By this time, the studio was the second largest French postcard publisher.

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
Thursday, 3 September, 2026
Completeness
100
Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum

Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum

Postcard Front
Old Cairo and Ficus Trees
Rear View of Postcard
Reverse of Postcard

Scan this QR code to open this page on your phone ->