Collection of 22 photographs by Felix Morin documenting Port of Spain, the capital city of Trinidad and Tobago. Morin operated a photographic studio in Port of Spain from 1869, through the late 1890s. While offered as a collection, there are a handful of individually compelling photographs present; one scene shows a sprawling mudflat--areas like this were dredged throughout the 19th century to allow for civic expansion. One major reclamation took place in the 1870s-80s, likely around the time this image was taken. Another photograph, quite uniquely composed, looks down from Morin’s studio window or balcony, showing his courtyard and photographic advertising signage on the street below. Others depict the Botanical Gardens, Queens Park Savannah, a Hindu procession or parade, and numerous views of local infrastructure and places of note. One street scene documents a number of local businesses, including “E. Watronville.” We have been able to locate records of Watronville as a general goods merchant in 1888. Also present in the collection are two studio photographs; the first a botanical still life, and the second a portrait of a young woman. Both are beautifully lit and highlight Morin’s competence as a skillful studio photographer.

Each photograph is presented on its own mount. Tonally the prints are mostly quite strong, exhibiting rich tonal ranges and strong contrast. The mounts however are slightly brittle, and most show chipping and cracking towards the edges and corners, with just a few showing larger areas of loss. Images of the full mounts are also available. We have been unable to track down any other substantial holdings of Morin’s photographic output.