Buying Images

The History of Mankind by Professor Friedrich Ratzel was a landmark in the study of mankind. It was published in three Volumes by Macmillan of London in 1896.

The books are remarkable for the wonderfully intricate bright color chromolithographs that are extremely well done, many of native peoples, their costumes, tools, weapons, etc. There are several maps and more than 1,000 engravings.

The three volumes are divided into five books covering respectively:-

• Principles of Ethnography
• The American-Pacific Group of Races
• The Light Stocks of South and Central Africa
• The Negro Races
• The Cultured Races of the Old World

My intention is to present the information, including the images, in such a way as to preserve as much as possible the flavor of this window on how the world was seen at that time but, at the same time to improve usability.

I will present the images in as high a resolution as makes sense within the constraints of this web site. All engravings are being scanned at at least 1200 pixels per inch in grayscale and colour, tidied up to reduce the inevitable blemishes in the originals. The coloured images present special problems as they are of exceptionally high quality but I will do my best to present them as near as possible to the original colouring.

Any of the images may be purchased in high resolution versions and payments will be used to help fund this work. Images are available on CDs compiled in accordance with the buyer's requirements at US$40 for each coloured image and US$20 each (US$10 each for each grayscale image over 10) for the grayscale images plus packaging and postage costs to anywhere in the world at US$20 per CD. Payment can be made through PayPal and initial contact with regard to your requirements can be made at the Household Oracle contact form.

Additionally, the more interesting images are being offered as framed prints or postcards through the imagekind web site. Any additional images will be uploaded to imagekind on request.

Images may be reused under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported conditions.

There are over 1600 pages and over 1000 images in the three volumes so it is a substantial process to work through. My present plan is to start at a place that interests me and work through, gradually filling gaps until it's finished, as time, finances and inclination allow. For that reason it will be a work in progress for some time. Various processes will be available later to facilitate an interested follower returning as new material is added or you may bookmark this page and return from time to time.

I hope you will contact me if you have any comment or suggestions for improvement.

John