Baghdad - 1915

📜 Description
Historical photograph depicting a view of the main street in Baghdad during World War I, taken on March 18, 1915 and distributed by Underwood & Underwood, New York. The original typed caption on the verso precisely identifies the context: the image documents the area of army, police, and government headquarters, near which intense fighting was taking place between British and Ottoman forces.

The scene shows a dense civilian presence along the urban thoroughfare, while the buildings referenced in the caption – army headquarters, police offices, and government structures – visually situate the action within the administrative center of the city. Flags bearing the crescent and star, visible on the buildings, confirm the Ottoman setting. The photograph therefore holds strong documentary value, offering a rare visual record of Baghdad under military pressure during the Mesopotamian campaign. This vintage print, a silver gelatin press photograph, fully belongs to early 20th-century journalistic photographic production.

The verso retains the original typed caption dated “3/18/15,” along with Underwood & Underwood and Central Press Association stamps, confirming the photograph’s circulation within international press networks. The consistency between print, material, and date indicates a vintage print, likely produced from the original negative close to the time of capture, reinforcing its historical and collectible significance.

📚 Historical Note
In 1915, Baghdad was part of the Ottoman Empire and became a strategic focal point during the Mesopotamian campaign of World War I, which saw British and Ottoman forces competing for control of the region. Photographs distributed by agencies such as Underwood & Underwood played a crucial role in shaping international public awareness, bringing visual documentation of distant war zones to a global audience.

This historical photograph is particularly significant for its dual function: it documents a moment of military tension within a central urban environment while simultaneously capturing the continuity of daily life. It belongs to the broader tradition of early war documentary photography, where informational intent merges with strong narrative and visual impact.

🧾 Technical Details
Type: Vintage press photograph
Photographer / Agency: Underwood & Underwood, New York
Location: Baghdad, Ottoman Empire
Date: March 18, 1915
Medium: Photographic paper
Process: Silver gelatin print
Subject: Army, police, and government headquarters in Baghdad during British–Ottoman fighting
Dimensions: 20.5 × 25.5 cm
Marks / Inscriptions: Original typed caption on verso; Underwood & Underwood stamps; Central Press Association stamp; editorial annotations

🔍 Condition Report
Very good overall condition. Image surface remains clear and well-preserved with minor editorial handling traces. The verso retains the original caption, agency stamps, and light adhesive residue, along with natural age toning. Minor oxidation and wear consistent with a period press photograph, with no significant structural defects.