Domes and Buildings

In this set of images, the main domes and buildings that are part of the Observatório Nacional collection are shown. For instance, one can see the internal and external facilities of Morro do Castelo, the first headquarter of the then Imperial Observatory (1871 to 1922), as well as of the Morro de São Januário, where the Observatório Nacional got definitively settled in 1922.

Note: The images of scanned plates have their names formed, initially, by three letters associated to a number to facilitate their location in the digital database and physical archive of the Observatório Nacional library.

The gallery contains 24 images.

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                                      Domes and Buildings (CuE)                                
                                                                                     
                                      Information and Documentation Nucleus / ON                 
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               Plate number: CuE0018                                           
               Subject: Imperial Observatory Building (Morro do Castelo)
               Instrument:                                                    
               Author / Observations: 
               Location: Imperial Observatory
               Date: 
               Time:                                            
               Emulsion:                                                      
               Dimension: 12cm x 9cm                                          
                                                                                     
               Description:
               Building at Morro do Castelo, located at Rio de Janeiro downtown.
               It was an old unfinished Jesuit church, which between 1871 and 1922 housed
               the facilities of the Imperial Observatory.

From this location, countless observations of comets were carried out
               by Emmanuel Liais and Luiz Cruls. It is possible to notice the tower of time
               signals transmission in the back of the image.

From the Imperial Observatory balcony Henrique Morize took the first
               photograph in 1885, of a thunderstorm that happened in the direction of
               the Guanabara Bay.                                                
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CuE0018

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                                      Domes and Buildings (CoE)                       
                                                                                     
                                      Information and Documentation Nucleus / ON                 
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               Plate number: CuE0026                                           
               Subject: Observatório Nacional Campus
               Instrument:                                                    
               Author / Observations: 
               Location: Observatório Nacional
               Date: 1922
               Time:                                            
               Emulsion:                                                      
               Dimension: 18cm x 24cm                                          
                                                                                     
               Description:
               Campus of the Observatório Nacional in 1922. Picture taken from a side window
               of the headquarter building.

It is possible to notice, in the back, the existence of residences at Morro da Mangueira.

On the left of the image, it is possible to see Maciço da Tijuca, formed by its set of
               sierras and hills. Today, beginning of the XXI century, Morro do Sumaré is occupied by
               dozens of radio, TV and telephone signal transmission antennas.			   
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CuE0026

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                                      Domes and Buildings (CuE)                                
                                                                                     
                                      Information and Documentation Nucleus / ON                 
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               Plate number: CuE0015                                          
               Subject: Observatório Nacional Campus
               Instrument:                                                    
               Author / Observations: 
               Location: Observatório Nacional
               Date: 1922
               Time:                                            
               Emulsion:                                                      
               Dimension: 18cm x 24cm                                          
                                          
                                                                                     
               Description:
               Campus of the Observatório Nacional in 1922. Picture taken from a side window
               of the headquarter building. Plate is broken in the edge.

It is possible to notice, in the back, the existence of residences at Morro da Mangueira.

On the left of the image, it is possible to see Maciço da Tijuca, formed by its set of
               sierras and hills. Today, beginning of the XXI century, Morro do Sumaré is occupied by
               dozens of radio, TV and telephone signal transmission antennas.
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CuE0015

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                                      Domes and Buildings (CuE)                                
                                                                                     
                                      Information and Documentation Nucleus / ON                 
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               Plate number: CuE0001                                          
               Subject: 32cm Domes
               Instrument:                                                    
               Author / Observations: 
               Location: Observatório Nacional
               Date: 1920
               Time:                                            
               Emulsion:                                                      
               Dimension: 18cm x 24cm                                          
                                                                                     
               Description:
               Dome that houses the 32cm equatorial telescope with the Sun clock in the main door.
               It is possible to notice, by the time shown in the Sun clock, that the picture was taken
               around 1:15pm true sun time. There is no record of day, month or time that this picture
               was taken.

Note: one can find it strange that a Time Equation table has not been place anywhere
               in the dome, which turns the sun time into average sun time, used in the daily life
               of the society.

The original coating of the dome was made out of an impermeable material (Dark tarp),
               which was later traded for aluminum sheets.

On the left of the image, it is possible to see the metal structure of Usina de Asfalto
               (Gasometer) of Francisco Bicalho Avenue. On the right of the image, one can see the 
               elevated ground where already existed the Pedro II School. On top of this land, the
               São Roque Church was built.                                                         
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CuE0001

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                                      Domes and Buildings (CuE)                                
                                                                                     
                                      Information and Documentation Nucleus / ON                 
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               Plate number: CuE0002                                          
               Subject: Photo-heliograph Dome
               Instrument:                                                    
               Author / Observations: 
               Location: Observatório Nacional
               Date: 
               Time:                                            
               Emulsion:                                                      
               Dimension: 18cm x 24cm                                          
                                                                                     
               Description:
               Dome of the Photo-heliograph located in front of the former Time Office, currently
               occupied by the Educational Activities Division. There is no record of date of the
               construction of the dome in the Observatório Nacional campus.

The sun observations were projected in a photographic paper, registering its image.
               The goal of the observations was to map the number of sun spots, caused by
               electromagnetic disturbances in the Sun’s photosphere.			   
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CuE0002

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                                    Instrumentos (Ins)                                         
                                                                                     
                                      Information and Documentation Nucleus / ON                 
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               Plate number: CuE0027                                          
               Subject: Photo-Equatorial telescope
               Instrument:                                                    
               Author / Observations: 
               Location: Observatório Nacional
               Date: 
               Time:                                            
               Emulsion:                                                      
               Dimension: 18cm x 24cm                                          
                                                                                     
               Description:
               Dome of the Photo-Equatorial telescope located in front of the dome of the 46cm
               equatorial telescope. The Photo-Equatorial telescope was the first instrument
               installed in the Observatório Nacional campus.

Currently, beginning of the XXI century, this dome houses the Heliometer, a high
               precision reflector telescope, which function is to monitor, every day, the variations
               of the shape and volume of the Sun. This equipment was conceived and developed
               by researchers of the Observatório Nacional. It started operating in 2009.

There is no record of the date and time that this picture was taken.
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CuE0027

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                                       Domes and Buildings (CuE)                                
                                                                                     
                                      Information and Documentation Nucleus / ON                 
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               Plate number: CuE0019                                          
               Subject: Landscaped entrance (Morro do Castelo)
               Instrument:                                                    
               Author / Observations: 
               Location: Observatório Nacional
               Date: 
               Time:                                            
               Emulsion:                                                      
               Dimension: 18cm x 24cm                                          
                                                                                     
               Description:
               Landscaped entrance of the main building of Morro do Castelo.

Building at Morro do Castelo, located in Rio de Janeiro downtown. It was an old
               unfinished Jesuit church, which between 1871 and 1922 housed the facilities of
               the Imperial Observatory.

From this location, countless observations of comets were carried out by
               Emmanuel Liais and Luiz Cruls.

From the Imperial Observatory balcony Henrique Morize took the first photograph
               in 1885, of a thunderstorm that happened in the direction of the Guanabara Bay.

It is possible to notice a white “tape” around the image. This material was glued
               to the plate in order to, probably, highlight the area of interest of the image for
               a possible copy. Out of precaution, so the plate wouldn’t be damaged, it was decided
               not to remove this material. 			   
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CuE0019

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                                      Domes and Buildings (CuE)                                
                                                                                     
                                      Information and Documentation Nucleus / ON                 
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               Plate number: CuE0020                                          
               Subject: Signals Transmission Tower
               Instrument:                                                    
               Author / Observations: 
               Location: Observatório Nacional
               Date: 1871
               Time:                                            
               Emulsion:                                                      
               Dimension: 18cm x 24cm                                          
                                                                                     
               Description:
               The signals transmission tower, located in the back of the Imperial Observatory’s
               building, at Morro do Castelo, located in Rio de Janeiro downtown. It was an old
               unfinished Jesuit church, which between 1871 and 1922 housed the facilities of the
               Imperial Observatory.

The Transmission Tower was used to lift a balloon, which role was to inform the
               local time at 8 a.m. But, from 1871 on, this service started to be provided at 12 p.m.

In 1886, the tower was setup at the Imperial Observatory’s terrace. With 16 meters of height,
               the tower was also used to transmit a shining signal, informing the time to the ships of the
               seaport at 8 p.m. 		   
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CuE0020

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                                      Domes and Buildings (CuE)                                
                                                                                     
                                      Information and Documentation Nucleus / ON                 
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               Plate number: CuE0005                                         
               Subject: Library (Morro do Castelo)
               Instrument:                                                    
               Author / Observations: 
               Location: Observatório Nacional
               Date: 1910
               Time:                                            
               Emulsion:                                                      
               Dimension: 18cm x 24cm                                          
                                                                                     
               Description:
               In 1871 the library of the then Imperial Observatory was set up in an old unfinished
               Jesuit church at Morro do Castelo, located in Rio de Janeiro downtown. But, due to
               the poor conditions of the building facilities, the reforms were made necessary and
               urgent. Unfortunately, they were never executed.

In 1910, the director Henrique Morize (1860-1930) got an authorization from the Ministry
               of Agriculture so that the new headquarter of the Observatório Nacional got built.

Finally, in 1922, the Observatório Nacional library would be set up at Morro de São Januário,
               in the São Cristóvão neighborhood.                                     
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CuE0005

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                                      Domes and Buildings (CuE)                                
                                                                                     
                                      Information and Documentation Nucleus / ON                 
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               Plate number: CuE0004                                         
               Subject: Observatório Nacional headquarter
               Instrument:                                                    
               Author / Observations: 
               Location: Observatório Nacional
               Date: 1922
               Time:                                            
               Emulsion:                                                      
               Dimension: 18cm x 24cm                                          
                                                                                     
               Description:
               Main building of the Observatório Nacional. With eclectic architecture, following
               the lines of the Paris Observatory’s main building, its construction work ended in 1922.

In this same year there was the definitive moving of the Observatório Nacional at
               Morro do Castelo, located in Rio de Janeiro downtown, to Morro de São Januário,
               located in the São Cristóvão neighborhood. Morro de São Januário is a hill located next
               to Quinta da Boa Vista, official residence of the Emperor Dom Pedro II.                                   
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CuE0004

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                                      Domes and Buildings (CuE)                                
                                                                                     
                                      Information and Documentation Nucleus / ON                 
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               Plate number: CuE0016                                         
               Subject: Observatório Nacional headquarter
               Instrument:                                                    
               Author / Observations: 
               Location: Observatório Nacional
               Date: 1922
               Time:                                            
               Emulsion:                                                      
               Dimension: 18cm x 24cm                                          
                                                                                     
               Description:
               Main building of the Observatório Nacional. With eclectic architecture, following
               the lines of the Paris Observatory’s main building, its construction work ended in 1922.

In this same year there was the definitive moving of the Observatório Nacional at
               Morro do Castelo, located in Rio de Janeiro downtown, to Morro de São Januário,
               located in the São Cristóvão neighborhood. Morro de São Januário is a hill located next
               to Quinta da Boa Vista, official residence of the Emperor Dom Pedro II.                                                    
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CuE0016

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                                    cúpulass e Edificacoes (CuE)                                
                                                                                     
                                      Information and Documentation Nucleus / ON                 
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               Plate number: CuE0017                                         
               Subject: Observatório Nacional headquarter
               Instrument:                                                    
               Author / Observations: 
               Location: Observatório Nacional
               Date: 1922
               Time:                                            
               Emulsion:                                                      
               Dimension: 18cm x 24cm                                          
                                                                                     
               Description:
               Main building of the Observatório Nacional. With eclectic architecture, following
               the lines of the Paris Observatory’s main building, its construction work ended in 1922.

In this same year there was the definitive moving of the Observatório Nacional at
               Morro do Castelo, located in Rio de Janeiro downtown, to Morro de São Januário,
               located in the São Cristóvão neighborhood. Morro de São Januário is a hill located next
               to Quinta da Boa Vista, official residence of the Emperor Dom Pedro II.                                                      
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CuE0017

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                                      Domes and Buildings (CuE)                                
                                                                                     
                                      Information and Documentation Nucleus / ON                 
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               Plate number: CuE0024                                       
               Subject: Pavement of Observatório Nacional building
               Instrument:                                                    
               Author / Observations: 
               Location: Observatório Nacional
               Date: 1922
               Time:                                            
               Emulsion:                                                      
               Dimension: 17.5cm x 23.5cm                                          
                                                                                     
               Description:
               2nd pavement of the Observatório Nacional’s main building, where the library
               and the Noble Hall were located. In this place, meetings, seminars, symposiums
               and other events were hosted.                                  
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CuE0024

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                                      Domes and Buildings (CuE)                                
                                                                                     
                                      Information and Documentation Nucleus / ON                 
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               Plate number: CuE0025                                       
               Subject: Office of the Observatório Nacional director
               Instrument:                                                    
               Author / Observations: 
               Location: Observatório Nacional
               Date: 1922
               Time:                                            
               Emulsion:                                                      
               Dimension: 30cm x 23.5cm                                          
                                                                                     
               Description:
               This office was located at the Observatório Nacional’s main building,
               at the Morro de São Januário campus, located in São Cristóvão, Rio de Janeiro.                                               
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CuE0025

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                                      Domes and Buildings (CuE)                                
                                                                                     
                                      Information and Documentation Nucleus / ON                 
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               Plate number: CuE0006                                       
               Subject: Library (São Cristóvão Campus)
               Instrument:                                                    
               Author / Observations: 
               Location: Observatório Nacional
               Date: 1922
               Time:                                            
               Emulsion:                                                      
               Dimension: 18cm x 24cm                                          
                                                                                     
               Description:
               Library of the Observatório Nacional setup in 1922 at Morro de São Januário, in the
               São Cristóvão neighborhood.

It stands out, in the back of the image, the bust of the director Emmanuel Liais(1870 – 1881),
               the 5th director of the Imperial Observatory.           
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CuE0006

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                                      Domes and Buildings (CuE)                                
                                                                                     
                                      Information and Documentation Nucleus / ON                 
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               Plate number: CuE0007                                       
               Subject: Noble Hall (Morro de São Januário)
               Instrument:                                                    
               Author / Observations: 
               Location: Observatório Nacional
               Date: 1922
               Time:                                            
               Emulsion:                                                      
               Dimension: 18cm x 24cm                                          
                                                                                     
               Description:
               Among the many rooms of the Observatório Nacional’s main building, it was assigned
               a space, which became known by “Noble Hall”, where meetings, seminars and symposiums
               where hosted. The new headquarter of the Observatório Nacional was built in 1922 at
               Morro de São Januário, in the São Cristóvão neighborhood, in Rio de Janeiro.

It is interesting to see the detail of the Super 8 slides or film projector installed
               on the right corner, in the back of the room. 
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CuE0007

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                                      Domes and Buildings (CuE)                                
                                                                                     
                                      Information and Documentation Nucleus / ON                 
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               Plate number: CuE0003                                      
               Subject: Observatório Nacional entrance
               Instrument:                                                    
               Author / Observations: 
               Location: Observatório Nacional
               Date: 1928
               Time:                                            
               Emulsion:                                                      
               Dimension: 18cm x 24cm                                          
                                                                                     
               Description:
               Entrance of the Observatório Nacional (General Bruce St). It is possible to notice
               a house next to the stairway. Probably, this house was occupied by an employee of
               the Observatório Nacional. There is a man in the window.

It was very common for employees that executed functions considered essential,
               to live in a residence at the Observatório Nacional campus. They had the commitment
               of resolving the emergencies that happened outside work hours.

In the street, it is possible to notice a man and a boy walking in the sidewalk
               on the other side of the street of the Observatório Nacional. Today (2018), beginning
               of the XXI century, this place contains a sports field that works as a parking lot
               for school buses.                                    
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CuE0003

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                                      Domes and Buildings (CuE)                                
                                                                                     
                                      Information and Documentation Nucleus / ON                 
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               Plate number: CuE0011                                      
               Subject: Observatório Nacional entrance
               Instrument:                                                    
               Author / Observations: 
               Location: Observatório Nacional
               Date: 1928
               Time:                                            
               Emulsion:                                                      
               Dimension: 18cm x 24cm                                          
                                                                                     
               Description:
               Entrance of the Observatório Nacional through General Bruce St. (São Cristóvão, Rio de Janeiro).

It is possible to notice that the houses next to the stairway of the Observatório Nacional don’t
               appear in the image. It is possible to see a man wearing a hat at the bridge that connects the
               elevator to the main building of the institution. 	   
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CuE0011

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                                   cúpulass e Edificacoes (CuE)                                
                                                                                     
                                   Information and Documentation Nucleus / ON                 
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               Plate number: CuE0009                                      
               Subject: Observatório Nacional entrance
               Instrument:                                                    
               Author / Observations: 
               Location: Observatório Nacional
               Date: 1928
               Time:                                            
               Emulsion:                                                      
               Dimension: 18cm x 24cm                                          
                                                                                     
               Description:
               Entrance of the Observatório Nacional (General Bruce St.) It is possible
               to notice that the house wasn’t present next to the stairway.

It is possible to see a man in the sidewalk of the Observatório Nacional
               wearing a suit and a hat. On top, next to the elevator, another man wearing a hat. 			   
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CuE0009

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                                      Domes and Buildings (CuE)                                
                                                                                     
                                      Information and Documentation Nucleus / ON                 
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               Plate number: CuE0008                                      
               Subject: Church and some houses.
               Instrument:                                                    
               Author / Observations: 
               Location: Not identified
               Date: 
               Time:                                            
               Emulsion:                                                      
               Dimension: 18cm x 24cm                                          
                                                                                     
               Description:
               Location and date register not identified. It depicts a church and some
               houses on the shore of a beach or a lagoon.

No further information about the image in this photographic plate was found. 		
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CuE0008

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                                      Domes and Buildings (CuE)                                
                                                                                     
                                      Information and Documentation Nucleus / ON                 
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               Plate number: CuE0010                                      
               Subject: Some houses
               Instrument:                                                    
               Author / Observations: 
               Location: Not identified
               Date: 
               Time:                                            
               Emulsion:                                                      
               Dimension: 18cm x 24cm                                          
                                                                                     
               Description:
               Some houses in front of a rocky mountain.

No further information about the image in this photographic plate was found. 			   
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CuE0010

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                                      Domes and Buildings (CuE)                                
                                                                                     
                                      Information and Documentation Nucleus / ON                 
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               Plate number: CuE0014                                    
               Subject: Physics and Chemistry Lab
               Instrument:                                                    
               Author / Observations: 
               Location: Not identified
               Date: 
               Time:                                            
               Emulsion:                                                      
               Dimension: 18cm x 24cm                                          
                                                                                     
               Description:
               Physics and Chemistry lab, one can’t affirm where these facilities were located.

No further information about the image in this photographic plate was found. 				   
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CuE0014

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                                      Domes and Buildings (CuE)                                
                                                                                     
                                      Information and Documentation Nucleus / ON                 
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               Plate number: CuE0021                                   
               Subject: Telegraph Brazilian Company
               Instrument:                                                    
               Author / Observations: 
               Location: Not identified
               Date: 
               Time:                                            
               Emulsion:                                                      
               Dimension: 18cm x 24cm                                          
                                                                                     
               Description:
               Telegraph Brazilian Company. Location outside of Brazil!

No further information about the image in this photographic plate was found. 				   
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CuE0021

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                                      Domes and Buildings (CuE)                                
                                                                                     
                                      Information and Documentation Nucleus / ON                 
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               Plate number: CuE0023                                  
               Subject: Military building
               Instrument:                                                    
               Author / Observations: 
               Location: Not identified
               Date: 
               Time:                                            
               Emulsion:                                                      
               Dimension: 17.5cm x 24.5cm                                          
                                                                                     
               Description:
               Military building. Broken plate.

No further information about the image in this photographic plate was found. 			   
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CuE0023

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Domes and Buildings

The gallery contains 24 images.

CuE0018

CuE0026

CuE0015

CuE0001

CuE0002

CuE0027

CuE0019

CuE0020

CuE0005

CuE0004

CuE0016

CuE0017

CuE0024

CuE0025

CuE0006

CuE0007

CuE0003

CuE0011

CuE0009

CuE0008

CuE0010

CuE0014

CuE0021

CuE0023