French diplomat (1805–1894) who spearheaded the project to build the Suez Canal. Formal 4.25 x 6.5 cabinet portrait by the London Stereoscopic Company showing Lesseps with his hand in his jacket, signed and inscribed in the upper left, he adds the date of 1886; the lower border bears an additional initialed inscription in another hand, perhaps the photographer, with information on when the photo was taken. In very good condition, with a few small spots of foxing to the image and two old adhesive stains to the lower border affecting the second inscription. Provenance: The Barry Hoffman Collection. RRAuction COA.
