Scope and Contents
Collection of photographic materials (mainly ektachromes or colour diapositives and black-and-white images and prints on paper) in several sizes, made by Auke A. Tadema (1913-1989). The collection contains images from Kuwait (1 portfolio), Saudi Arabia (2 portfolios) and Egypt (8 portfolios).
Dates
- 1963-1979
Conditions Governing Access
Certain parts of this collection are closed to research use. Please refer to the information desk of the Special Collection Reading Room for more information.
Conditions Governing Use
Regulations that apply during the use of these materials can be found on the website of Leiden University Library.
Biographical / Historical
Auke Anne Tadema (1913-1989) and his wife Jacoba ('Bob') Tadema-Sporry (1912-1987) were active, in mutual cooperation, as travel writers for the daily and weekly press, such as Haarlems Dagblad, Libelle, Elsevier, Arts en Auto, Tussen de Rails, etc. They both received their formal education in the 1930s at the Rijksacademie van Beeldende Kunsten in Amsterdam. Bob held a teaching position, but Auke was active from the start as an artist and illustrator. They married shortly before the war and had three children. They were joint authors of a great number of books: travel books, childrens’ books, and popular books on archaeology, and they were active in educational radio programmes (NCRV channel). Auke was also active as illustrator for advertising agencies and book illustrator. He designed several hundred book covers. Occasionally, he assisted in copywriting as well.
In 1951-1952 the couple travelled across the Sahara and published their travel memoirs in periodicals and books. The following years they travelled to many countries, all over the world, with a preference, however, for Asia and the Middle East. They visited Egypt more than eighty times. In the Mao-era they were able to travel through China without difficulty because their passports mentioned as their profession that they were artists, not journalists. During their travels, Auke took many pictures, which the couple used for their publications. The present collection of photographic materials is only part of a much larger collection of similar materials.
Extent
580 ektachromes (circa) (on c. 55 positive sheets); c. 1270 b/w images (on c. 130 negative sheets), often with the contact prints; c. 230 b/w prints; some colour slides. 11 portfolios in one cardboard box.
Language of Materials
Undetermined
Abstract
Verzameling fotografisch materiaal (vooral ektachromen en zwart-wit beelden en afdrukken) van verschillende afmetingen, vervaardigd door Auke A. Tadema (1913-1989). De collectie omvat afbeeldingen van Koeweit (1 map), Saoedi-Arabië (2 mappen) en Egypte (8 mappen).
Abstract
Collection of photographic materials (mainly ektachromes or colour diapositives and black-and-white images and prints on paper) in several sizes, made by Auke A. Tadema (1913-1989). The collection contains images from Kuwait (1 portfolio), Saudi Arabia (2 portfolios) and Egypt (8 portfolios).
Physical Location
Leiden University Library, Special Collections
Immediate Source of Acquisition
After the death of his wife Bob Tadema-Sporry, Auke Tadema’s collection of photographic materials was divided at his request by R.J. Demarée into six sub-collections, which were consequently distributed over different institutions in Leiden University (see Allied materials). All items related to Arab countries were transferred to the Leiden University Library in October 2005.
Accruals
Several portfolios with photographs and slides are still in the possession of Dr Demarée. Those concerning modern Egypt (between 1955 and 1975) would qualify for transfer to the Oriental collections in the Leiden University Library, but no arrangements to this purpose have been made.
Separated Materials
After Tadema’s death in 1989, his collection was organised by his to daughters. All original book manuscripts and related materials were deposited in the Public Library of Heemstede. His travel diaries and private documents remained with his daughters.
Tadema’s collection of photographic materials was divided by Dr R.J. Demarée into six sub-collections and deposited in several different institutions. Apart from the Tadema Collection in the Leiden University Library, these are:
1. Everything related to country life and agriculture in modern Egypt was deposited in the Tropenmuseum (Royal Tropical Institute) in Amsterdam. This material is closely related to a collection of objects which the Tadema couple had purchased for the Museum at the specific request of the curator Dr J.H. Jager Gerlings. These objects were acquired in Gurna (West Luxor) and in the Delta.
2. Everything related to Indonesia, China, Japan, etc. was deposited in the National Museum of Ethnology in Leiden. Receipt was officially confirmed in 1990 by the then head of the multimedia centre, Dr Rosema.
3. Everything related to Ancient Egypt was deposited in the Egyptological Institute (now part of TCMO, the Department of Languages and Cultures of the Middle East) in Leiden University. Part of the slides have been digitised, and further archiving is still due.
4. Several portfolios with materials concerning Lebanon and Syria in antiquity were deposited in the Assyriological department (now also part of TCMO) in Leiden University.
5. Several portfolios with photographs and slides remain in the possession of Dr Demarée. Those containing images of Ancient Egypt will at some time be deposited in the TCMO Department in Leiden University. Those concerning modern Egypt (between 1955 and 1975) would qualify for transfer to the Oriental collections in the Leiden University Library.
General
The Tadema collection can be requested at the Special Collections Reading Room under the classmark UBL Or. 26.517
Processing Information
In 2005 the collection was registered in the Oriental Collections with the classmark Or. 26.517.
In 2006 the collection was described on a provisional basis by Prof. Jan Just Witkam. The current archival description is based on Witkam’s inventory.
In 2007, the collection was repacked in acid-free portfolios in one cardboard box.
- Anthropology Subject Source: Fast
- Cairo Subject Source: Tgn
- Egypt Subject Source: Tgn
- Ethnology Subject Source: Fast
- Kuwait Subject Source: Tgn
- Photography Subject Source: Fast
- Saudi arabia Subject Source: Tgn
- Tadema, Auke A.
- Title
- Collection guide of the Auke Anne Tadema collection (1963-1979)
- Subtitle
- Collectie Auke Anne Tadema
- Author
- Jan Just Witkam ; Arnoud Vrolijk, 2007
- Date
- 2007
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- This finding aid has been written in English.
Repository Details
Part of the Leiden University Libraries Archives & Collections Repository
Witte Singel 27
Leiden 2311 BG Netherlands
+31 71 527 2857
specialcollections@library.leidenuniv.nl