These color postcards from the sunny streets of Tunis were created using photochromy technology, in which monochrome images are given realistic colors and shades. This technology is the forerunner of color photography.
Photochromy (color lithography) was invented by a Swiss publisher in the 1880s. The process began with coating a plate of lithographic limestone with a photosensitive emulsion. Then it was exposed to the sun under a photonegative for several hours. The emulsion solidified in proportion to the shades of the image. The softer fragments of the emulsion were removed with a solvent, and the image remained on the lithographic stone.
The photographer carefully outlined the features of the colors in the photo. According to his notes, separate lithographic stones were prepared for each color in the final version of the image. Often there were more than a dozen lithographic stones per postcard. As a result of a complex and delicate process, incredibly colorful images were obtained with much greater accuracy than in a conventional colorized photograph.
We invite you to look at the exquisite palaces and lively markets of Tunis in the first decade of the French protectorate.
Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries Source: Mashable
Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries
Souk El Truk Bazaar in Tunis.
Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries
A street in Kairouan.
Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries
Tunisian locals.
Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries
St. Louis Cathedral in Carthage.
Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries
Private living room, Qasr El Said.
Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries
The bedroom of the late Bey of Tunis, Qasr El Said, Tunisia.
Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries
View of Kairouan from the minaret of the Grand Mosque.
Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries
The market in Kairouan.
Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries
Streets of Kairouan.
Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries
Kairouan.
Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries
A wandering cook, Kairouan.
Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries
The coastal area in Sousse.
Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries
View of Tunisia from the Pari Hotel.
Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries
Marr Street in Tunis.
Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries
A family of Bedouin beggars.
Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries
Near the Moorish cafe.
Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries
Bab Suika-Suker Square, Tunisia.
Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries
Throne Room of the Bardo Palace, Tunis.
Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries
The courtroom of the Bardo Palace, Tunis.
Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries
Sadiki Hospital.
Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries
Kasbah Market in Tunisia.
Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries
French Gate, Tunis.
Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries
A bazaar in Tunis.
Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries
Moorish cafe.
Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries
Ivory Market, Tunisia.
Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries
Street procession in Kairouan.
Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries
At the entrance to the mosque, Tunisia.
Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries
Performance of the snake charmer in Tunisia.
Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries
St. Catherine's Mosque in Tunis.
Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries
Sellers of couscous, Tunisia.
Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries
A group of Arabs in front of Bab Aleona, Tunisia.
Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries
A camp of nomads.
Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries
A street in Tunisia.
Rare color shots from Tunisia at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries