Holy Land Photo Postcards by The Bonfils firm

The Bonfils family, Félix Bonfils, his wife Lydie Bonfils and later, his son Adrien Bonfils were French photographers who emigrated to Lebanon in 1867. Their work was very popular with the many Holy Land visitors that were already arriving in steadily increasing numbers by the 1860s. They sold original photographs, but their work was distributed most widely in color tinted postcards.
The company ceased operations due to the war in 1917 and possibly simply due to exhaustion. These are offered as a group for $80.00.

 

Jerusalem - Valley of Jehosaphat

 

Jericho - General View

 Jerusalem from the Mount Olives

 The Jews Wailing Place, on Friday

This particular view is of great historical importance as it clearly shows women praying at the Wailing Wall freely just as they are no longer allowed to do today. 

 Church of the Annuniciation - Nazareth

 General View of Nazareth

 Nazareth - Mount Tabor

 Ramallah's Women

 Samaria - Mount Tabor

 Second Station [of the Via Dolorosa]

 Jerusalem - Street inside Jaffa Gate

  The Dead Sea

 Jerusalem - Water Carrier

 

 Rachel's Tomb

Jericho - Elisa's Fountain

 

Beyrouth - Promenade des Pins