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Vanderbilt Residences New York. Photographer Albert Levy PART 1


 En el álbum "L' Architecture Americaine" las primeras fotos estan dedicadas a mansiones de los Vanderbilt. 

Esta familia era, en el momento de realizarse las fotos una de las más ricas del mundo.

Las fotos estan documentadas en la primera hoja de dicho álbum donde indica cual es el dueño de la casa o, mejor dicho, mansión, así como el arquitecto que la diseñó.








 

En la primera de las casas, las Twin Houses, indica que el arquitecto era Herther Brothers pero esto no es exacto puesto que esta era una firma dedicada, en el sentido amplio de la palabra, a la decoración pero que,principalmente,  diseñaba muebles. Su estudio era muy importante y trabajaba para las mayores fortunas de la época de ahí, posiblemente, que en el álbum se le cite como arquitecto.

Herter Brothers

Trained in his native Germany, Gustave Herter first rose to prominence as a cabinet maker in New York City. Soon after being joined by his younger brother Christian in 1864, the renamed firm, "Herter Brothers", began to create entire decorative schemes of astonishing opulence for the wealthiest families in America.
 The Herter Brothers became the best-known interior furnishings firm in New York during the second half of the nineteenth century. German-born and trained, Gustave (1830-1898) and Christian Herter (1840-1883) opened their New York business in 1865. The Herter Brothers firm established its reputation for exquisite marquetry (decorative inlay) by furnishing the mansions of the New York elite in the popular Renaissance Revival style. Following the Civil War, several revival styles became fashionable in furniture design. The Renaissance Revival style was based loosely on the architecture of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century Italy, and often incorporated Greek, Moorish, Egyptian, and other historical motifs.
Their client list reads like a Who’s Who of Gilded Age millionaires: Vanderbilt, Morgan, and Gould of New York; Crocker, Stanford, and Huntington of San Francisco; Potter Palmer of Chicago.

Traducción libre

Formado en su país natal, Alemania, Gustave Herter primero destacó como ebanista en New York City. Poco después  junto su hermano forma  en el año 1864, la empresa  "Hermanos Herter"
Comenzaron a crear fastuosas decoraciones para las familias más ricas de América.
Los Hermanos Herter se convirtió en la empresa más conocida de muebles de interior en Nueva York durante la segunda mitad del siglo XIX.  
La empresa Hermanos Herter forjó su reputación en su  exquisita marquetería (embutido decorativo) . Después de la Guerra Civil,  se puso de moda en el diseño de muebles. El estilo del renacimiento estaba basado libremente en la arquitectura de los siglos XVI y siglo XVII-Italia, y con frecuencia se incorporan influencias griegas, árabes, egipcias, y otros motivos históricos.
Su lista de clientes era el "Quién es Quién" de los millonarios de la Edad Dorada: Vanderbilt, Morgan, y Gould, de Nueva York; Crocker, Stanford y Huntington de San Francisco; Potter Palmer, de Chicago.

     Archivos Directorio para la historia del coleccionismo en América: Hermanos Herther

.... Los hermanos utilizaron materiales tales como madera de ébano, incrustaciones de marfil y oro, y otros dispositivos ostentosos para satisfacer los gustos de sus clientes ricos. . 

....The brothers used such materials as ebonized wood, inlays of ivory and gilt, and other ostentatious devices to satisfy the tastes of their wealthy clients. French, English, and Japanese influences are evident in the furniture designs.....

 

Historia breve de los dueños de las mansiones representadas en estas fotos

The Vanderbilts 
Vanderbilt, Cornelius, 1794–1877, American railroad magnate, b. Staten Island, N.Y. As a boy he ferried freight and passengers from Staten Island to Manhattan, and he soon gained control of most of the ferry lines and other short lines in the vicinity of New York City. He further expanded his shipping lines and came to be known as Commodore Vanderbilt. In 1851, when the gold rush to California was at its height, Vanderbilt opened a shipping line from the East Coast to California, including land transit across Nicaragua along the route of the proposed Nicaragua Canal. 
After the outbreak of the Civil War, he entered the railroad field, and by 1867 he had gained control of the New York Central RR. Although his efforts to gain control of the Erie RR proved unsuccessful, Vanderbilt vastly expanded his railroad empire and by 1873 connected Chicago with New York City by rail. He amassed a great fortune.
  • A son, William Henry Vanderbilt,. 1821–85, b. New Brunswick, N.J., succeeded Cornelius Vanderbilt as president of the New York Central RR and augmented the family fortune. He gave liberally to Vanderbilt Univ., to the College of Physicians and Surgeons , and to various other institutions.
  • Cornelius Vanderbilt,. 1843–99, b. Staten Island, N.Y., was a son of William H. Vanderbilt. He took over the family holdings and helped to establish   the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.
Cornelius Vanderbilt II  was a financier and philanthropist, and president of the New York and Harlem Railroad from 1886 until his death. He commissioned architect George B. Post to build a mansion at Fifth Avenue and 57th Street. John La Farge supervised the decoration of the dining and watercolor rooms. The sculptural decorations were by Saint-Gaudens, who was assisted in the project by his brother Louis, Philip Martiny, Frederick W. MacMonnies, and others. 
  • Another son of William H. Vanderbilt was William Kissam Vanderbilt,. 1849–1920, b. Staten Island, N.Y. He was a yachtsman, and his wife was a well-known society leader. 
  • The fourth son of William H. Vanderbilt was George Washington Vanderbilt,. 1862–1914, b. Staten Island, N.Y. He engaged in numerous philanthropies.

Links: 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Henry_Vanderbilt (Wikipedia William Henry Vanderbilt)

 Twin Houses. Las casas gemelas Nueva York

.....W.H. Vanderbilt purchased the block between 51st and 52nd Streets in 1879, and the brownstones he built there were divided by an atrium that separated his residence from that of his two sons-in-law, Elliot F. Shepard and William D. Sloane. The twin houses came to be known as the “Vanderbilt Twins” or the “Triple Palace,” because the northern house was a double unit. W.H. Vanderbilt’s residence, (which he hoped would outshine Alexander T. Stewart’s extravagant, white marble palazzo on 34th Street,) showcased his art collection, which he opened to public viewing on Thursdays via invitation..........

Traducción libre 

W.H. Vanderbilt adquirió la manzana comprendida entre las calles 51 y 52 en 1879, y las casas de piedra que construyó allí estaban divididos por un atrio que separaba su residencia de la de sus dos yernos, Shepard Elliot F. y D. William Sloane. Las casas gemelas llegaron a ser conocidos como los "Gemelos Vanderbilt" o el "Palacio Triple", porque la casa del norte era una unidad doble. W.H. Residencia de Vanderbilt, (con la cual  él esperaba eclipsar el extravagante y blanco palacio de mármol de  Alexander T. Stewart  en la calle 34) ......

 

Sin embargo, segun bibliografía el arquitecto fue, Atwood en colaboracion con John B. Snook.


..........Architects John B. Snook and Charles Atwood designed twin houses connected by a glass atrium and entrance vestibule, and the famed Herter Brothers decorated the houses with such extravagance that Artistic Houses devoted 17 pages to its interiors upon their completion in 1883............

.....The structure, which Vanderbilt lived in for only three years until his death in 1885, took two years to build and involved an estimated 600 to 700 workers. .........


   ..........After opening his own practice, he was asked in 1879 by the New York decorating firm Herter Brothers to collaborate on twin houses for the Vanderbilt family in Manhattan, and it was these homes that gained him a reputation as a gifted residential architect and, no doubt, his exposure to Hunt, who was the family’s architect for much of their other work.  Atwood’s position with the Herters was solidified, and he became their in-house architect for several years, working on Searles Castle, a house for the widow of railway magnate Mark Hopkins in Great Barrington, Mass ................

John Butler Snook (1815-1901)

 .......The subject, a native of London, was brought to New York as a child. . Snook was architect of A. T. Stewart's department store (1846), Niblo's Garden Theatre, the Metropolitan Hotel, Grand Central Depot (1871-72), All Angel's Church (1886), and the Vanderbilt mansions on Fifth Avenue between 51st and 52nd streets. .....















































































































































































 The College of Saint Rose Image Collection 

Se puede ver otra imagen de este edificio así como una breve historia del mismo.

The mansions pictured here once stood on the west side of Fifth Avenue between 51st and 52nd streets. The property was purchased by William H. Vanderbilt in 1879, and he commissioned the architects John B. Snook and Charles Atwood to design twin houses connected by a glass atrium and entrance vestibule. The Herter Brothers decorated the houses extravagantly. W.H. Vanderbilt and his wife lived in the southern house, while their two daughters and sons-in-law occupied the other. The mansion depicted on the right side of the image was also commissioned by W. H. Vanderbilt, and designed by Richard Morris Hunt in 1881. It was demolished in 1926.


Architect: Herter Brothers
Owner: William H. Vanderbilt residence

Vista general de las dos casas una imagen del Nueva York de una época de gran desarrollo en este tipo de edificaciones donde los arquitectos tratan de traer a Estados Unidos la magneficiencia de los edificios europeos. Muchos de estos arquitectos pasaron por la escuela de arquitectura de París considerada como una de las mejores del mundo en ese momento



Architect: George Browne Post
Owner: Cornelius Vanderbilt residence

Fotografía donde podemos vemos la entrada principal de la casa de Cornelius Vanderbilt. No es demasiado frecuente observar, en una misma foto, algún obrero trabajando mientras parece posar ,mirando a la cámara, el que pudiera ser uno de los arquitectos de la firma



Architect: George Browne Post
Owner: Cornelius Vanderbilt residence

Esta foto, más bonita que la anterior, nos muestra una vista general del edificio, ya muy avanzada su obra, aqui, a diferencia de la foto anterior, el protagonista es, tanto el edificio como los obreros.
Destacan estas fotos por su excelente estado de conservación




Architect: Herter Brothers
Owner: William H. Vanderbilt residence

Esta foto muestra los pisos elevados del edificio donde podemos ver la geometría que predomina en la fachada, los altos ventanales de las plantas principales y lo que parece ser una terraza superior con balconada.


  
Architect: George Browne Post
Owner: Cornelius Vanderbilt residence

Cornelius Vanderbilt II House  
The home of Cornelius Vanderbilt II and his wife, Alice Gwynne, was the largest of the several Vanderbilt family residences that dotted Fifth Avenue. The imposing French Château–style mansion was one of only three houses on Fifth Avenue to take up an entire block-front (the other two were the Carnegie and Frick residences).
Originally built in 1879–1883, the house was enlarged and redesigned just ten years later by architect George B. Post in consultation with his former teacher, Richard Morris Hunt.
 Its grand facades graced Fifth Avenue between 57th and 58th streets, and the length of Grand Army Plaza along 58th Street. No less fashionable than the mansion it replaced, the Bergdorf Goodman department store was erected on this site in 1928
  • Details of the photos 




Architect: George Browne Post
Owner: Cornelius Vanderbilt residence
Ampliación-detalle de la foto anterior


Architect: George Browne Post
Owner: Cornelius Vanderbilt residence
Ampliación-detalle de la foto anterior


Architect: Richard Morris Hunt
Owner: William K. Vanderbilt residence


William Kissam Vanderbilt, W.H.’s son, bought the next building site up Fifth Avenue at the northwest corner of 52nd Street, where he built his house designed by Richard Morris Hunt between the years of 1879-1883. William K. Vanderbilt’s home was considered an exquisite architectural work, and at the time, was considered behind only the U.S. Capitol and Boston’s Trinity Church, as one of the best buildings in the country. On nearby 57th Street, stood the home of Cornelius Vanderbilt II, (also W.H.’s son,) which began in 1880 and was later enlarged in 1894 after designs by George B. Post. In addition, at 680 and 684 Fifth Avenue, were the homes of W.H. Vanderbilt’s other two married daughters, Mrs. William Seward Webb and Mrs. Hamilton McKown Twombly. 





Architect: Richard Morris Hunt
Owner: William K. Vanderbilt residence
Ampliación de la foto anterior



Detalle de la pagina del álbum "L' Architecture Americaine" mostrando como figuran los datos de las fotos



PLANCHE ARCHITECT OWNER, BUILDING LOCATION DATE
1 Herter Brothers William H. Vanderbilt residence New York, New York 1880 - 1884
2 Herter Brothers William H. Vanderbilt residence New York, New York 1880 - 1884
3 G. B. Post Cornelius Vanderbilt residence New York, New York 1879 - 1882
4 G. B. Post Cornelius Vanderbilt residence New York, New York 1879 - 1882
5 G. B. Post Cornelius Vanderbilt residence New York, New York 1879 - 1882
6 R. M. Hunt William K. Vanderbilt residence New York, New York 1879 - 1881




 L'Architecture americaine


THE EDITION
This book belongs to a "serie" of three photo albums, each one with forty photos:
  • First serie  --> Public Buildings
  • Second serie --> PRIVATE URBAN RESIDENCES
  • Third serie --> Suburban Homes
This is the second one, Private Urban Residences. (See  the owners)
These albums were used by Architecturial firms as visual resources.
The book was edited by Andre Daly fils et Cie. This firm edited architectural books as its main issue.
The book was published in 1886. 
I don' t know how many copies were printed. I only know that the Library of Congress owns the Private Urban Residences and Suburban Homes;
The University of Winsconsin owns Suburban Homes; and Architektur Sammlung of the Technische Hochschule in Munich owns the three series.
 ssssssssssssssssss

 Albert Levy. The photographer
  • Biography

     Complete name: Albert H. Levy (1)
    Date of birth: 1844 (3)
    Date of death: 1907 (3)
    Nationality: French (2) and (12).
    Father's birthplace: France (2)
    Mother's birthplace: France (2)
    Marital Status: Single (2)
    Race: White (2)
    Home in 1880 (when he was 33 years old): New York (Manhattan) (2)
    Arrived to the United States in 1873 (12)

  • Work

     Occupation:
    - Photographer (12).
    - Leading french photographer : "Contestating images (Photography and the World's Columbian Exposition)", by Julie K. Brown (The University of Arizona Press. Tucson & London). Pag. 153. ( notes to pages 93-96). 'The response by the Ways and Means Committee of the Chicago Board to Sir Henry Trueman Wood, British Commissioner to the Fair, was reproduced along with a letter by Albert Levy, a leading french photographer, protestating the imposition of such regulations.  "Photographing at the Chicago Exhibition" American Photographer 5 ( March 1893): 135; see also A. N., "The  Possibilities of the World's Fair" Photo Beacon 5 (Feb 1893): 47-49'
    - Photographer active circa 1870's 1880's (4). In this reference he is identified as "american photographer".
    - Photographer active from 1870's to 1890's. Active in New York in 1876 and in France in 1880's-1890's (1).
    - The older picture I have found by Albert Levy has the date 1905: "Ancienne et nouvelle Mairie d'Asnières" (3)
    - He has a catalogue with all his work until 1887 with 2500 titles. (3)
Studies/shops:
- He had the following studies in New York
    - A study in 77 University Place, NY in 1870-1878 (23)
    - A study in 4 Bond Street, NY in 1880 (2)
    - A study in 34 1/2 Pine Street, NY in 1887 (3).
- At the same time he also had a study in France, 19 rue de la Chaussée-d'Antin, Paris (3).
- The Bibliothèque Nacionale de France also has another reference in 1901: "22 janvier 1901, A. Lévy, 4 av. Pinel, Asnières" (3)
He is also referenced as bookseller (2).

 Manufacturer:
Albert Levy is referenced as the photographer who began the manufacture of the gelatin dry plates in 1878. All references can be found in the book Photography and the American Scene. A social history (1839-1889) by Robert Taft. See  and (8) for full text.
"Photography and the American Scene. A social history (1839-1889)" by Robert Taft. New York, Dover, 1964. 'He (John Carbutt) was preceded in this effort, as far as I can definitely ascertain, only by Albert Levy of New York, who began the manufacture of gelatin dry plates in 1878'. Page 371.
(6) - "Photography and the American Scene. A social history (1839-1889)" by Robert Taft. New York, Dover, 1964. 'Mention of the Levy dry plates and cameras can be found in Philadelphia Photographer  v.16, p. 95 (1879). As the notice appears early in 1879 and states that Levy is well known for his dry plates, it is quite evident that he was making them as early as 1878 and possibly sooner.' Here is described where Taft found the reference. Page 503.
(7) - "Photography and the American Scene. A social history (1839-1889)" by Robert Taft. New York, Dover, 1964. 'In fact the earliest manufacturers of dry plates (Levy and Carbutt) sold their products rather largely to amateurs. Early in 1879, Levy followed up his plates with a small camera designed for amateurs trade. This was described as “a unique little camera for dry plates- and he (Levy) offers camera and lens for $12.00 for plates 4x5 inches: For this sum a half a dozen plates, developer, pyro, and hypo are included, with full instructions for working the same". The following year T.H Blair of Chicago place on the market a camera for “amateurs photographers, college boys and artists “ which became well known.'. Page 375.
Albert Levy is also identified as "early competitor of Eastman, NYC" (9). This reference relates also to the book by Robert Taft (10).

 Editor:
The Bibliothèque Nacionale the France (2) and the Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library (20) own a catalogue of 2500 titles by Albert Levy as editor in New York and Paris for Architectural photography.

Architect
There are some references that describe Albert Levy as an architect (11).
  • Artwork

     "Today photography is universally included in the roster of the fine arts, and it is in the concept of a class of images defined as "documentary" that remains unresolved. I suggest that, while some photographs may be commission their work may wish to produce documents, this intention does not suffice to differentiate their work from other photographic images; the documentary character is not intrisic to the image. It is or is not in the eye of the beholder". Reference (17)
    • L'Architecture Americaine
      The album by Albert Levy that you are reading in this section of photocollection.alonsorobisco.es. It is a serie of three architectural albums of in the United States. You can see the complete second serie in the following link. In 1975, it was published the book "American Victorian Architecture" (19) by Arnold Lewis and Keith Morgan. In this book, the three series of L'Architecture Americaine are studied in detail.
      "In its 120 unusually fine photographs this book is a rare, contemporary look at Architecture in America in the 1870`s and 1880`s. It surveys a wide range of notable and curious examples of and interiors, concentrating on the architecture and architects of New York, Boston and Chicago. Originally published in Europe in 1886, it was one of the earliest and mos diversified studies of American architecture in th nineteenh century, an d perhaps the first recognition in Europe of the new forces emerging in American Architecture"
      The photos neither have a number nor a signature to identify the photographer. However, the research done by the authors of this book demonstrates the photographer is Albert Levy. The Library of Congress of the United States also confirms this fact.
      Nowadays, we can also confirm that these photos are part of the 673 photos from the United States included in "Albert Levy's Photographic Series" as we find out in Levy's Catalogue (3). In this case we have to highlight that the photos of the photographic series have a number which correspond to the one in the catalogue. These photographic series identify Albert Levy as the photographer. 


    • "Recueil photographique des nouveilles habitations pittoreques de France urbaines et rurales en pierre, brique, bois, ..."
      Another architectural album by Albert Levy that you have also in photocollection.alonsorobisco.es. It is also a three serie album with 36 photos each. The album you can see here in this web is the second serie. See the following link. The only other holder of any these series (in this case the three of them) is the "Culture France". (18)
    • Albert Levy's Photographic Series of Modern American Architecture. Due to these series, Albert Levy is referenced as counterpart for Alinari in the United States (13).
      • Albert Levy's Photographic Series of Modern American Architecture: Second Series, Country Dwellings. (16)
      • Albert Levy's Photographic Series of Modern American Architecture: Ninth Series, Street Fronts. (16)
      • Albert Levy's Photographic Series of Modern American Architecture: First Series, Private City Dwellings. (16)
      • Albert Levy's Photographic Series of Modern American Architecture: Fifth Series, Messrs. Vanderbilt's Mansions. (16)
      • Albert Levy's Photographic Series of Modern American Architecture: Tenth Series, Sea Shore Cottages and Country Houses. (16)
      • Albert Levy's Photographic Series of Modern American Architecture: Twelfth Series, Modern Street Architecture of Berlin, Street Fronts and Apartment Houses. (16)
      • Albert Levy's Photographic Series, the Fourteenth Series: Romanesque and Gothic Churches in the South of France (24)
      • Albert Levy's Photographic Series of Modern American Architecture: Sixteenth Series, American Private City Dwellings. (16)
      • Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series : Lévy, Albert. 1895 (16)
      • Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series:  Twenty-fourth series.(Berne, Lucerne, Zurich and other Swiss cities and towns) (21)
      • Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series : Thirty-Fifth Series, Sea Shore Cottages And Country Houses, Bar Harbor, Mount Desert, Maine : Lévy, Albert. 1895 (16)
      • Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series: Thirty-First Series, Street Fronts, Stores, Office , Etc : Lévy, Albert. c1884 (15)
      • Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series : Thirty-Sixth Series, Sea-Shore Cottages, Etc., Newport, R.I., And Long Branch, N.J : Lévy, Albert. 1895 (15)
      • Albert Levy's Photographic Series Of Modern American Architecture. : Lévy, Albert. 1883
      • Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series: 3rd series, French Gothic and Renaissance, Civil and Domestic Architecture, New York: Albert Levy, 1884. (14)
      • Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series: 33rd series, American City and Country Residences, etc, New York: Albert Levy, 1884. (14)
      • Architectural Photographic Series, city houses/Levy: 1 album, 38 leaves of plates: photographs 36x46 cm. New York, Albert Levy (between 1880-1895?). (20).
        • Signature by Albert Levy in "Albert Levy's Architectural photographic series"
          In some cases, in the Photographic series the  Photographs are titled, numbered and mounted on blue card stock. The card stock is embossed
          "Architectural & Decorative Books, Albert Levy, NY, 77, University".
         
        Having a look at some of the photos of "Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic series" (see the HALIC archive of the Art Institute of Chicago in the web for more photos by Albert Levy (look for "Levy")) we can find that some of them are in "L'Architecture Americaine", which indicates that this album may be a collection of the "best of photographic series" to show his work in Europe (because the editor is French). As this album was edited in 1886 (19), some of the dates of the photographic series above could not be correct.
    • Levy Albert. Monmory, Felix.
      Nouvelles Maisons à Loyer et Hôtels Particuliers à Paris, Comprenant Vues d'Ensemble, Plans et Details.
      Paris. 1895. 2 vols. Folio. pp. 1. Volume 1 contains 28 photographic images & 22 plans; volume 2 contains 26 images & 24 plans. Green morocco-backed boards, gilt titles on spine, marbled end-papers.
      A superb pictorial record of distinctive Parisian architecture. The list of plates details the houses or hotels on the streets, avenues or boulevards of Paris: d'Anjou, Cour la Reine, de Rome, Dumont d'Urville, Saint-Honore, Pierre Charon, Fortuny, Danton, Vaugirard, Siam, General Foy, & c. Also present is a list of the various architects involved in the design & construction: Thomas, Mewes, Lernoux, Gaillard, Sellevier, Alinot, Fouquiau, Brisson &c.

    • English cottages
      Portfolio of views of English Cottages on the South Coast of England, at Birchington, Margate, Hastings and various other tows.

    • Constructions nouvelles: (20)
      1 portfolio 2 leaves of text, 50 leaves of plates, 41 cm.
      Title on leaf 1 : Constructions nouvelles: Maisons de rapport, hotels prives: album photographique.
      Albumen silver print 36 photographs.
      Title on leaf 2  Constructions nouvelles: Cyanotypes 50 photographies par Albert Levy 
      Paris E. Ducher. Libraire Editeur (between 1885-1895?)

    • Petites maisons de campagne photographies par Albert Levy. (20)
      1 portfolio
      1 leave of text 24 leaves of plates:photographes, 42 cm
      Paris s.n. (between 1885-1895?)

    • Hotels prives en Amerique. (20)
      1 portfolio
      1 leaf of text
      36 leaves of plates:photographs, 42 cm.
      Paris Librairie de l`architecture et des arts industrielles Eugene Bigot (between 1900-1910?)
    • Habitations prives en Amerique. (20)
      1 portfolio
      2 leaves of text
      36 leaves of plates: photograhes (cyanotypes), 41 cm
    • Various houses & villas, exteriors, Midi France. (20)
      1 album
      Albumen silver print
      36 photographs

    Holders of Albert Levy photos:

  • Unaccurate/missing data:

     George Eastman House estimates that his place of birth is New York and his Nationality is American. Reference (2) confirms this is not correct.
  • ART INSTITUTE OF CHICHAGO PICTURES: 

     The art institute of Chicago-HALIC COLLECTION- has 97 photos of the Albert Levy's Architectural photographic series available online at:
    See below the complete list of vintage houses of the United States by Albert Levy in the Art Institute of Chicago:

    Residence City State Architect Albert Levy' data
    Appleton, Thomas G., Residence Newport Rhode Island Hunt, Richard Morris Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 209
    Baldwin, C.H., Residence Newport Rhode Island Potter and Robinson  Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 154 
    Bishop, H.R., Residence  New York City New York Clinton, Charles W.  Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 72 
    Boylston Block Boston Massachusetts Wight, P.B. (Peter Bonnett)  Albert Levy, photographer
    Bradstreet Merchantile Agency Boston Massachusetts Unknown Albert Levy, photographer
    Broadway and Exchange Place New York City New York Unknown Albert Levy, photographer
    Bryant and Stratton School Boston Massachusetts Unknown Albert Levy, photographer
    Casino, The Newport Rhode Island McKim, Mead & White Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 201
    Casino, The Newport Rhode Island McKim, Mead & White Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 168 
    Baldwin, C.C., Residence,Chateau Nooga Newport Rhode Island Post, George Browne Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 156
    Church of the Covenant Boston Massachusetts Upjohn, Richard Albert Levy, photographer
    Collegiate Dutch Reformed Church New York City New York Smith, W. Wheeler Albert Levy, photographer
    Drayton, J. Coleman, Residence New York City New York McKim, Mead & White Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 73
    Girard Life Insurance Annuity and Trust Company Philadelphia Pennsylvania Unknown Albert Levy, photographer
    Guernsey Building New York City New York Hunt, Richard Morris Albert Levy, photographer
    Higginson, Francis Lee, Residence Boston Massachusetts Richardson, Henry Hobson  Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 33, No. 744 
    Hutchinson, William J., Residence New York City New York Post, George Browne Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 273 
    Kent, Sidney A., Residence Chicago Illinois Burnham and Root Albert Levy, photographer
    Montgomery Building Boston Massachusetts Cummings and Sears Albert Levy, photographer
    Office Building Troy New York Post, George Browne Albert Levy, photographer
    Country House No.1 Beverly Massachusetts Unknown Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 200
    Residence Unidentified Unidentified J.W. Taylor Albert Levy, photographer
     Residence 38th St. near Madison Ave.  New York City New York Ware and Van Brunt Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 1, No. 147 
    Residence 55th St. near Fifth Ave.  New York City New York Haight, Charles Coolidge Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 1, No. 133 
    Residence House No. 4 12 Fairfield St. Boston  Massachusetts Cabot and Chandler Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 1, No. 162
    Residence 68th St. and Park Ave.  New York City New York Harney, George E. Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 1, No. 146 
    Residence House No. 3 Boston [Back Bay] Massachusetts Lewis, W. Whitney Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 1, No. 172 
    Residence Country House No. 1 76 High St. Brookline Massachusetts Luce, Clarence S. Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 175 
    Residence Country House No. 1  Boston [Jamaica Plain] Massachusetts Stephenson, H.M. Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 192 or 194
     Residence No. 9 Boston [Dorchester] Massachusetts Unknown Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 178
    Residence Country House No. 1 76 High St. Brookline Massachusetts Luce, Clarence S. Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 176 
    Residence Country House No. 3 101 Forest Hill St.  Boston [Jamaica Plain] Massachusetts Emerson, William Ralph  Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 184 
    Residence House No. 4  135 St. Boston [Back Bay] Massachusetts Cabot and Chandler  Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 61 
    Residence No. 7 1 Melville Ave.  Boston [Dorchester] Massachusetts Cabot and Chandler Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 204
    Residence Country House No. 4  Boston [Jamaica Plain] Massachusetts Stephenson, H.M.  Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 189 
    Residence House No. 1 Boston [Back Bay] Massachusetts Peabody & Stearns  Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, image 56
    Residence Country House No. 2 Boston [Jamaica Plain] Massachusetts Stephenson, H.M.   Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 182 
    Residence Country House No. 2 Boston [Jamaica Plain] Massachusetts Stephenson, H.M.  Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 183 
    Residence 340 [next door to]  Boston Massachusetts Allen and Kenway Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 62
    Residence House No. 2 Boston [Back Bay] Massachusetts Cummings and Sears Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 58
    Residence No. 7 1 Melville Ave.  Boston [Dorchester] Massachusetts Cabot and Chandler Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 203
    Residence 311 Saint Paul St. Baltimore Maryland Cassel, Charles E.  Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 60 
    Country Residence Beverly Massachusetts Cabot and Chandler Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 206
    Residence  Newport Rhode Island Luce, Clarence S. Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 202 
    Residence 912 St. Washington District of Columbia Gray and Page Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 64 
    Residence 487 St. ? Unidentified Unidentified Unknown Albert Levy, photographer
    Residence Cleveland Ohio Peabody & Stearns  Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 33, No. 768 
    Residence Madison Avenue New York City New York Kendall, Edward Hale Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 68
    Residence 724 Fifth Ave.   New York City New York McKim, Mead & White Albert Levy, photographer
    Residence House nº 2 Newport Rhode Island Unknown  Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 191
    Residence Fifth Avenue New York City New York Kendall, Edward Hale Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 71
    Residence Chicago Illinois Unknown Albert Levy, photographer
    Residence 724 Fifth Ave.  New York City New York McKim, Mead & White Albert Levy, photographer
    Residence Country House nº 2  Pride's Crossing  Beverly Massachusetts Cabot and Chandler  Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 180
    Residence Country House No.1 Pride's Crossing  Beverly Massachusetts Unknown Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 199 
    Residence Country House No.1 Pride's Crossing  Beverly Massachusetts Unknown Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 198 
    Residence with store on ground floor Boston [Dorchester] Massachusetts Lewis, W. Whitney Albert Levy, photographer
    Residences Walnut St. Philadelphia Pennsylvania Chandler, Theophilus Parsons, Jr. Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 63 
    Residences Fifth Avenue New York City New York Lamb & Rich Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 66
    Residences 10 W. 54th St.  New York City New York Robertson, R.H. Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 271 
    Residences 32 75th St.  New York City New York Kendall, Edward Hale  Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 276 
    Residences 68th St.  New York City New York Unknown Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 79 
    Residences Madison Ave. [possibly at E. 67th St.]  New York City New York Lamb & Wheeler Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 70 
    Residences 69th St.  New York City New York Ware, James E. Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 59 
    Residences Fifth Avenue New York City New York Lamb & Rich Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 67 
    Residences 10 W. 54th St.  New York City New York Robertson, R.H. Albert Levy, photographer
    Residence Goelet, Robert and Ogden, Residences New York City New York Kendall, Edward Hale  Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 275 
    Residences Fifth Avenue New York City New York Robertson, R.H. Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 69 
    Residences 50 54th St.  New York City New York Robertson, R.H. Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 272
    Roosevelt, Theodore, Sr., Residence 6 W. 57th St.  New York City New York Sturgis, Russell Albert Levy, photographer
    Rowhouses State St. or Hudson Ave.  Albany New York Fuller and Wheeler Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 57
    Sard, Grange, Jr., Residence 397 State St.  Albany New York Richardson, Henry Hobson Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 33, No. 759 
    Stables Newport Rhode Island Hunt, Richard Morris Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 208 
    Stables Country House No.1 Pride's Crossing  Beverly Massachusetts Unknown Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 2, No. 197 
    Store Building Babcock, John B., and Co. Building Boston Massachusetts Thayer, S.J.F. Albert Levy, photographer
    Store 39-47 Boston Massachusetts Unknown Albert Levy, photographer
    Temple Court 119-129 Nassau St. and 5 Beekman St. New York City New York Sillman and Farnsworth Albert Levy, photographer
    Tilden, Samuel J., Residence 15 Gramercy Park  New York City New York Vaux & Radford Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 274 
    Trinity Church, Rectory 233 Clarendon St.  Boston Massachusetts Richardson, Henry Hobson Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 1, No. 166
    Trinity Church, Rectory 233 Clarendon St.  Boston Massachusetts Richardson, Henry Hobson  Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 1, No. 157 
    Vanderbilt, Cornelius, II, Residence New York City New York Post, George Browne Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 77 
    Vanderbilt, Cornelius, II, Residence f Fifth Ave. and 57th St New York City New York Post, George Browne Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 7
    Vanderbilt, William Henry, Residence Vanderbilt Twins New York City New York Trench & Snook,Atwood, Charles B. Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 65 
    Vanderbilt, William Henry, Residence Vanderbilt Twins New York City New York Trench & Snook,Atwood, Charles B. Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 74
    Vanderbilt, William K., Residence,660 Fifth Ave. at 52nd St.  New York City New York
    		Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 75
    Vanderbilt, William K., Residence,660 Fifth Ave. at 52nd St.  New York City New York Hunt, Richard Morris Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 16, No. 76
    Wall Street  Orient Insurance Company Building New York City New York Thorp, Alfred,Clinton and Pirsson Albert Levy, photographer
    Wall Street Queens Insurance Company Building New York City New York Clinton and Pirsson, Post, George B. Albert Levy, photographer
    Winans, Ross R., Residence 1217 Saint Paul St.  Baltimore Maryland McKim, Mead & White Albert Levy's Architectural Photographic Series, Series 33, No. 757 
  • Discovering Albert Levy

     Follow this link for a better understanding on all Albert Levy's findings over the last years. (or check the PDF).

  • A personal view on Albert Levy's work

     Follow this link for a better understanding of Albert Levy's artwork, how was it developed, artistic perspectives and historical comparassions. (or check the PDF).

  • Albert Levy's catalogue until 1887

     The Bibliotheque Nacional de France (BNF) owns the whole Catalogue of Albert Levy photography until 1887.
    In this catalogue, with 2500 titles, we can find the following information:
Catalogue de  Photographies D`Architecture
Européenne & Américaine
Ancienne et Moderne 
Extérieurs
Intérieurs
Sculptures
Meubles
Décorations
Etc., Etc

Albert Levy
19,rue de la Chausee-d`Antin 19
Paris
34 ½  Pine Street
New York
Janvier 1887.

 Je réclame pour ma collection de photographies, aujourd`hui composée de plus de 2500 sujets différents, et qui s’augmentera progressivement :
1º La bon choix des sujets ;
2º La qualité et la finesse des détail ;
3º Une conservation indéfinie ;
4º L`uniformité de grandeur
5º Le prix modéré
********************************************
Reproductions de toutes sortes de commande :
extérieurs, intérieurs,
meubles, sculptures, etc., etc., dessins d’architectes, etc.,
reproductions au papier Ferro- Prussiate

 Prix modérés et sur demande

 D`un format uniforme 20cent.   Sur 25 cent.

   
Composition

 France, Architecture Ancienne
Elne, Montmajour, Arles, Toulouse ,Narbonne,, Angoulême, Albi, Avignon,  Bordeaux, Tarascon, Poitiers, Ruffec, St. Gilles, Villeneuve-les-Avignons, Beaucaire, Azay-le Rideau, Saumur, Mont-St.- Michel, St. Brienne, Angers, Rennes, Vitré, Tours, Plessis-les-Tours, Amboise, Le Mans, Beaugeney, Loches, Orleans, Beaulieu, Langeais, Chenonceaux, St. Antonin, Périgueux, Angoulême, Senlis, Chars, Laon, Crépy-en Valois, Soissons, Amiens, Abbeville, Nîmes, Perpignan, Paris.
264 photos

 Versailles Vues d`Intérieurs et d`Extérieurs des Palais de Trianon
227 photos

 Blois Vues d`Intérieurs et d`Extérieurs de Château de Blois
133 photos

 Chateau de Chaumont
12 photos
 
Château de Chambord
23 photos

 Angoulême
9 photos

 Château D`Azay-le Rideau
7 photos

 Château de Chenonceaux
8 photos

 Amboise
16 photos

 Angers
16 photos

 Tours
28 photos

 Poitiers
25 photos

 Moisacc
84 photos
 
Montmajour
12 photos

 Elne
24 photos

 Arles
35 photos

 Carcasonne
27 photos
 
 
France Architecture moderne
42 photos
Italie
Rome
105 photos

 Florence
95 photos

 Orvieto
4 photos

 Pise
33 photos
 
Sienne
46 photos
Belgique
121 photos
Anglaterre
42 photos
Allemagne
172 photos
Hollande
41 photos
Autriche
78 photos
 
 
Amerique du Nord
Maisons prives
Washigton,Baltimore, Boston,New York, Philadelphia,Albany,Chicago, Cleveland, Brooklyn N.Y.,Rochester, Buffalo,Detroit.Cincinatti.
207 photos
 
Maisons de campagne
Elberon, Long Branch,Orange,Hartford,Newport, Dorcester, Pride Crossing, Jamaica Plain, Beverly fram, Cincinatti,North Easton, Milwaukee, Cleveland,Bar Harbor,Monmouth Beach, Stokem`s N.J., Manchester Mss., Longwood Mass,Cambridge Mass., Mount Auburn, o, Walnut hills, Avondale. Buffalo, Lafayette, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Mount Desert.
231 photos

 Maisons de commerce et a loyer
Boston, Albany, Chicago, New York, Baltimore,Cincinatti, Pittsburg,
40 photos

 Maisons de banque et de bureaux
New York, Albany, Boston, Chicago, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Cambridge mass,
43 photos
 
Edifices publics divers
Baltimore, New York, Washigton, North easton, Nouevelle Orleans, Boston, Topeka, St. Louis, Woburn, Little Rock,Providence, Avondale, Haartford
72  photos

 Interieurs divers
North Easton, Albany, New York, Washington,Detroit, Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago
36 photos
 
Eglises etc
Boston, Philadelphia. New York, Detroit, ST. Louis, Chicago, Hartford.
44 photos
Suisse
25 photos

  • American Architects in Albert Levy's catalogue
    This is the list of architects that can be found in Albert Levy's catalogue when describing the in the United States.

Maisons prives Maisons de comerce et loyer Maisons de campagne
Allen et Kenway C. Peiffer Arthur Little
Bruce Price C.L. Carson Bruce Price
Burham et Root C.W. Romeyn Burham et Root
C. Fehmer Cook et Babb C.a. Wallingford
C.E. Cassell D. Adler C.s. Luce
C.M. Palmer H. Fernbach Cabot et Chandler
C.S. Luce H. Kafka Cobb et Frost
Cabot et Chandler H.H. Richardson Coburn et Barnum
Cobb et Frost J.F. Steen E.A.P. Newcomb
Cudell et Richardson J.M. Slade E.P. Treadwell
Chas. B. Atwood Peabody and Stearns F.C. Withers
D. Adler Potter et Robertson G. Keller
E.H. Kendall S.Hannaford G.B. Post
E.T. Potter S.J.F. Thayer G.H. Smith
F.K. Schock W. Schickel G.W. Lloyd
G.B. Post W.W. Smith H.E. Ficken
G.E. Harney-Mckim Maisons de Banque et de Bureaux H.H. Richardson
Geo. Edbrook Bradlee, Winslow et Wetherell H.M. Stephenson
Herter freres Burham et Root J. Douglas
J.C. Cady Cabot et Chandler J.A Schweinfurth
J.G. Hill Cook et Babb J.A. Fox
J.H. Besarick D. Adler J.F. Steen
J.H. Moore E.H. Chandler J.G. Cutler
J.J. Flanders E.H. Kendall J.H. Besarick
J.L. Silsbee F. H. Kimball J.L. Silsbee
J.M. Van Osdel G.B. Post J.W.Mclaughlin
J.W. McLaughlin G.E. Harney Kimball et Wisedell
L.T. Scofield G.R. Et R.G.  Shaw Lamb et Wheeler
Lamb et Wheeler Geo. Edbrook Mason et Rice
Mckim, Mead et White Hartwell et Richardson McKim, Mead et White
Mead et Bigelow J.C. Cady P.J.Boticher
Peabody et Stearns J.J. Flanders Peabody and Stearns
R.H. Robertson J.W.McLaughlin Potter et Robertson
R.M. Hunt Peabody and Stearns R.M. Hunt
S. Hannaford R.M. Hunt S. Hannaford
S.S. Godley Russell Sturgis S.Edwin Toby
Scwarzmann et Buchman Silliman et Farnsworth V.C. Taylor
Sturgis et Brigham Th. P Chandler W. Scott et Cie
Th.P. Chandler W.H. Dennis W.A. Bates
Treat et Foltz W.L.B. Jenney W.A. Potter
Vaux et Radford W.W. Boyington W.R. Emerson
-W. Scott et Cie Wheeler et Clay W.R. Emerson
W. Schickel Wm. G. Preston W.Whitney lewis
W.L.B. Jenney Edifices Publics Divers Eglises etc
W.R. Emerson Burham et  Root C.H. Marsh
W.W. Lewis F. U. Walter Fernbach et Eidlitz
Ware et Van Brunt F.H. Kimball G.W.Lloyd
Wheelock et clay Fuller et Laver Geo. F. Meacham
Wyatt et Sperry G.a. Clough H.A. Sims

G.B. Post H.H. Richardson

G.J. Metzger Hartwell et Richardson

H.H. Richardson J. Notman

J. C. Cady J.W. McLaughlin

J.G. Hill P.C. Keely

J.J. Flanders Peabody and Stearns

J.W. McLaughlin R.H. Robertson

JH. Wolters R.M. Upjohn

Kimball et Wisedel Th. P. Chandler

L.J. O`Connor W.A. Potter

McKim, Mead et White W.W. Smith

Peabody and Stearns Interieurs divers

R.M. Upjohn A.Fiedler

S.J.F. Thayer G.W. Lloyd

Sturgis et Brigham G.W. Lloyd

W.A. Potter H.H. Richardson

W.M. Poindexter H.J. Schwarzmann & Co

W.w. Boyington J.H. Duncan

Ware et Van Brunt L. Eidlitz

Wheelock et Clay L.T. Scofield

Wilson Freres Peabody and Stearns

  • References:
    (1) - George Eastman House
    (2) - 1880's United States Federal Census
    (3) - Bibliothèque Nacionale de France
    (4) - "International guide to the nineteenth century photographers and their works", by Gary Edward. (Boston: G.K. Hall, 1988)
    (5) - "Photography and the American Scene. A social history (1839-1889)" by Robert Taft. New York, Dover, 1964. 'He (John Carbutt) was preceded in this effort, as far as I can definitely ascertain, only by Albert Levy of New York, who began the manufacture of gelatin dry plates in 1878'. Page 371.
    (6) - "Photography and the American Scene. A social history (1839-1889)" by Robert Taft. New York, Dover, 1964. 'Mention of the Levy dry plates and cameras can be found in Philadelphia Photographer  v.16, p. 95 (1879). As the notice appears early in 1879 and states that Levy is well known for his dry plates, it is quite evident that he was making them as early as 1878 and possibly sooner.' Here is described where Taft found the reference. Page 503.
    (7) - "Photography and the American Scene. A social history (1839-1889)" by Robert Taft. New York, Dover, 1964. 'In fact the earliest manufacturers of dry plates (Levy and Carbutt) sold their products rather largely to amateurs. Early in 1879, Levy followed up his plates with a small camera designed for amateurs trade. This was described as “a unique little camera for dry plates- and he (Levy) offers camera and lens for $12.00 for plates 4x5 inches: For this sum a half a dozen plates, developer, pyro, and hypo are included, with full instructions for working the same". The following year T.H Blair of Chicago place on the market a camera for “amateurs photographers, college boys and artists “ which became well known.'. Page 375.
    (8) - "Photography and the American Scene. A social history (1839-1889)" by Robert Taft. New York, Dover, 1964. 'The Levy and Blair cameras brought in a host of others, and E. and H. T. Anthony, and the Scovill Manufacturing Company, among the largest or the American photographic houses, were quick to follow with similar device.' Page 375.
    (9) - Eastman-Butterfield Collection
    (10) - "Photography and the American Scene. A social history (1839-1889)" by Robert Taft. New York, Dover, 1964. '[...] credits him with making first dry plates in U.S., for amateur and personal use. Also put out #12 camera in 1879'. Page 371.
    (11) - Ministère de Culture de France
    (12) - New York Passengers list 1820-1957.
    (13) - "Photographic Documentation and : Relationships Past and Present" by Phyllis Lambert. At the beginning you can read: 'There seems little doubt that the centennial encouraged a flowering of pride in American architecture, of which the most interesting example is provided by the American counterpart to Alinari, Albert Levy, who published a photographic series on architecture in the 1880...'. See pdf for more information.
    (14) - Boston Public Library.
    (15) - Art Institute of Chicago (HALIC archive).
    (16) - Centre Canadien d'Architecture
    (17) - "On the Origins of Architectural photography", by James S. Ackerman (Centre Canadien d'Architecture). See pdf.
    (18) - Culture France. Joconde archive. See pdf for print screens of the data in the web.
    (19) - "American Victorian Architecture", by Arnold Lewis. Dover publications, 1975

    Por otra parte hay una publicación americana American Victorian Architecture de 1975 dedicada en su integridad a documentar todas las fotos de estos álbumes 

    (20) - Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library.
    (22) - "Contestating images (Photography and the World's Columbian Exposition)", by Julie K. Brown (The University of Arizona Press. Tucson & London). Pag. 153. ( notes to pages 93-96). 'The response by the Ways and Means Committee of the Chicago Board to Sir Henry Trueman Wood, British Commissioner to the Fair, was reproduced along with a letter by Albert Levy, a leading french photographer, protestating the imposition of such regulations.  "Photographing at the Chicago Exhibition" American Photographer 5 ( March 1893): 135; see also A. N., "The  Possibilities of the World's Fair" Photo Beacon 5 (Feb 1893): 47-49'
    (23) - New York City directories (Levy, Albert, photographer. Books).
    (24) - Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections. 2B Carl A. Kroch Library, Cornell University. Ithaca, NY 14853

 COMENTARIO FINAL.

Hace unos años, cuando compre este álbum por la calidad de sus fotos.
Luego dedique tiempo y esfuerzo a localizar los datos de este fotógrafo. 
Dado que el álbum no trae el autor de las fotos el comienzo fue difícil. La localizacion del libro American Victorian Architecture me permitio contactar con su autor Arnold Lewis que me oriento hacia Albert Levy. Posteriormente la Libreria del Congreso de Estados Unidos me facilito, con seguridad, su autoria de estas fotos. Curiosamente, como comento en el post, esta biblioteca tiene los álbumes 2 y 3 y le falta el primero.
A partir de este momento, con lentitud, pero de manera continua fui localizando obra suya en numerosos museos y bibliotecas americanas. Un paso muy importante fue también la localización de su catálogo en la Biblioteca Nacional de Francia que me identifico que tenia dos estudios, al mismo tiempo, en Paris y Nueva York cosa muy rara para la época y que demuestra la importancia de este fotógrafo en aquel tiempo.
Por otra parte Albert Levy documenta bien sus fotos, identifica lugar, propietario y, lo que es menos frecuente el arquitecto.
Me llama la atención la seguridad en la elección de los edificios a fotografiar dada el tiempo en que estan hechas las fotos, donde la información brillaba por su ausencia Levy sabe cual es el edificio importante de cada ciudad. No tengo datos que me permitan identificar el proceso de seleccion pero todo me hace pensar que tenia una cierta formacion de arquitecto o contactos con ese mundo. No olvidemos que la Facultad de Bellas Artes de Paris y su escuela de Arquitectura fue un paso obligado  en la  formacion de grandes arquitectos americanos.
Sus Albert Levy's Photographic Series of Modern American Architecture:constituyen una amplia selección de la mejor arquitectura que se realizo en Estados Unidos en ese tiempo y lugar. Yo tengo localizadas mas de 600 fotos-36 series-dedicadas a este tema.
Personalmente pienso que nos encontramos ante uno de los grandes fotógrafos de arquitectura y, desde luego, un excelente documentalista que, sin embargo,no ha tenido el reconocimiento que se merece.
Las razones no son difíciles de suponer:
La escasez de su obra
Muchos álbumes no identifican al autor de las fotos.
Y, quizas, para los americanos es un fotógrafo francés lo que hace que no le hayan dedicado tiempo y estudio. Para los franceses es un fotógrafo casi desconocido pues la mayor parte de su obra, casi la totalidad de su obra se encuentra en Estados Unidos.

 English
FINAL COMMENT.A few years ago, I bought this album for the  quality of his photographsThen take me long  time and effort to locate the data of this photographer.Since the album has the photos without photographer's name the beginning was very difficult. The location of the book "American Victorian Architecture" allowed me to contact the author Arnold Lewis who guided me to Albert Levy. Subsequently the Library of Congress facilitated the Levy's authorship of these pictures. Interestingly, as mentioned in the post, this library has albums 2 and 3 and lacks the first.From that time, slowly, but steadily went locating his work in numerous American museums and libraries. A very important step was also the location of its catalog in the National Library of France that allowed me to know that Albert Levy had  two studies,  in Paris and New York, which is very rare for the time and demonstrating the importance of this photographer's studio
Also noted that  Albert Levy documented the  photos:  identifies location, owner and, less often the architect.It strikes me security in choosing to photograph buildings given the time the photos are made where information was absent Levy knows the important building in each city. I have no data that allow me to identify the selection process but everything makes me think that he had some background in architecture or contact with that world. Do not forget that the Faculty of Fine Arts in Paris and his school of architecture was a necessary step in the formation of importan American architects.His" Albert Levy's Photographic Series of Modern American Architecture" provide a wide selection of the best architecture that took place in the United States at that time.
 I have located more than 600 photos-36-series dedicated to this subject.Personally I think that Albert Levy is one of the great photographers of architecture in the XIX  century and, of course, an excellent photo-documentary which, however, has not had the recognition it deserves.The reasons are not hard to imagine:
  • The scarcity of his work.
  • Many albums do not identify the author of the photos.
  • And, perhaps, for the Americans is a French photographer that makes you not have devoted time and study. For the French he is a photographer  almost unknown because most of his work, almost all of his work is in the United States.
  • Objetif Calvados
    Un siecle de photographie aux archives de Calvados 1850-1950
    LEVY, Albert
    (1847 – vers 1905), professionnel.
    Photographe d’architecture, Asnières.
    Actif aux Etats-Unis, 1873 – années 1880 ;
    en France, années 1880 – vers 1905.
     
References about Albert Levy in the Philadelphia Photographer
 Photography in the great exhibition de 1876 de Philadelphia
Screen 17
The second exhibit on this screen is a collection of Architectural views by Mr. Albert Levy 77 University Place New York two frames being marked "United States" and the third "Europe"

 https://archive.org/stream/philadelphiaphot1879phil#page/n7/mode/2up/search/Albert+Levy
https://archive.org/stream/philadelphiaphot1879phil#page/176/mode/2up/search/Albert+Levy

 https://archive.org/stream/philadelphiaphot1879phil#page/310/mode/2up/search/Albert+Levy
 dry plates: Mr. Albert Levy of New York,Mr. t.H.Mc Collin of this city and in fact all dealers suply the paper already sensitized,and for experiment, perhaps, that is the best way to get it
Important: For sale very cheap.  A splendic collection of about twelve hundred negatives of architectural views from Europe and the United States Size 8x10. Adress : A. Levy 4 Bond Street New York
https://archive.org/stream/philadelphiaphot1882phil#page/n147/mode/2up/search/Albert+Levy
https://archive.org/stream/philadelphiaphot1878phil#page/148/mode/2up/search/Albert+Levy
Levy's french photographic emulsion
 Levy' add:
Emulsion photographique francaise
Unequalled for rapidity, (fully equal to the bath plate) Intensity to any degree on simple development  or other intensifier  and absolutely permanent and without change
Albert Levy Sole propietor
77 University place N:Y.
Preservative for dry plates ( more rapid than wet) also prepared dry plates ready for use and photographic chemicals at olwest market prices always on hands
Price list on application
N.B. All dry plates made with my emulsion bear my signatura

https://archive.org/stream/philadelphiaphot1878phil#page/n705/mode/2up/search/Albert+Levy
Volume: 1878 v.15


L’ÉCOLE CENTRALE D’ARCHITECTURE


constituée sur la base d’une société anonyme. Sur les 140 administrateurs, 12 furent architectes, le reste était constitué d’ingénieurs et d’industriels, ce qui suscita de vives critiques. Pour E. TRELAT, l’architecte va plus loin que l’ingénieur, l’architecte est un artiste, l’ingénieur ne se préoccupe que des exigences pratiques. La formation dure 3 ans, les élèves doivent être présents 8 heures par jour avec une heure de théorie par jour, le reste étant des leçons de dessin et d’atelier. La différence fondamentale entre l’Ecole Centrale d’Architecture et l’Académie des Beaux-Arts se fait sentir par l’approche plus universelle et contemporaine de l’architecture et de son histoire alors que les Beaux-Arts restent fidèles au classicisme. Bien que conscient du manque de connaissances pratique dans son enseignement, Emile TRELAT était convaincu que les futurs architectes avec un bagage académique conséquent et une ouverture toujours maintenue allaient bien rapidement combler leurs lacunes. C’est en 1868 que Stephen SAUVESTRE achèvera ses études à l’ECA. Peu d’informations sur les autres architectes ayant terminé leurs études avec S. SAUVESTRE ont été trouvés. L’école a toujours voulu rester contemporaine de l’époque et les élèves devaient rester au courant de l’actualité tant qu point de vue technique qu’artistique. En 1869, l’école instaura des leçons sur l’utilisation du métal et en 1913, ils conçurent une chaise de professeur en béton armé. En 1887, 1888, l’école créa un certificat « d’Architecte de Salubrité, Architecte Hygiéniste ». Les projets proposés aux élèves de l’Ecole Centrale d’Architecture étaient souvent d’utilité publique comme des hôpitaux, écoles, et habitations sociales.


Les architectes élèves de l'Ecole des beaux-arts, 1793-1907 (1907)

 








































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