Ruins of Angkor: Cambodia in 1909

Dieulefils, Pier; Finot, Louis; Jonquiere, Lunet De La

ISBN 10: 9748225801 / ISBN 13: 9789748225807

Published by River Books, Bangkok, 2001

Qto., 152 pages, illustrated with black and white photographs taken around 1909. Bound in maroon cloth with central pictorial panel, and gilt lettering. A Fine copy. Seller Inventory # 102862

Synopsis:

When this book was published a century ago, the French, through the l' Ecole Francaise d'Extreme-Orient, were responsible for the temples of Angkor and its environs. At that time, the temples were magnificently photographed by Piere Dieulefils and expertly documented by Louis Finot. Now Angkor is once again seen as one of the world's most magnificent sites, it is fascinating to compare past and present in this important record.

Synopsis: When this book was first published in 1909, Cambodia was under the French Protectorate, and the Thais had only just ceded suzerainty of the province of Siem Reap, where Angkor Wat and the other major temples are situated. The temples were then in a state of disrepair and neglect, a point reinforced by Lous Finot who in his introduction stressed the importance of the work being done by the Ecole Francaise d'Extreme Orient. Despite the neglect, the temples were magnificently photographed by Monsieur Dieulefils, his plate camera capturing all the intricate carvings and wealth of details. In addition, there are photographs of buildings in Phnom Penh, the tranquil countryside and Khmer dancers. Only 500 numbered copies of this book were published, and this probably explains why it has remained largely unknown. Number 49, from which this facsimile edition has been produced, was discovered in Bangkok in March in 2001 by a wellknown Thai bibliophile. Almost a century has passed since these photographs were taken, and during that time Cambodia has endured many years of war and turmoil.

Now that the country is peaceful and Angkor Wat has once again become a popular destination, it is fascinating to be able compare past and present.

Bibliographic Details

Title: Ruins of Angkor: Cambodia in 1909
Publisher: River Books, Bangkok
Publication Date: 2001
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Fine