[TAHITI.]
Album of 21 silver gelatin prints relating to the construction of a new airport in Pape’ete.
1960.
21 photographs, bound with string at left edge (one loose); some wear to edges, bowed, else in good condition; presentation inscription to verso of first image (of traditional patterned cloth): ‘G. Pameau et ses camarades de Polynesie vous presentent leurs meilleurs vœux de fin d’année. Ils ont choisi pour vous ces quelques images … 1960'.
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Album of 21 silver gelatin prints relating to the construction of a new airport in Pape’ete.
Fa’a’a Airport, just outside Papa’ete on Tahiti is the only international airport in French Polynesia, built on reclaimed land on the coral reef off-shore. Its construction in 1958-60 was directly connected with the French government’s nuclear weapons testing programme in the region, but gave a massive boost to tourism in the region.
The present album, presumably presented to and by someone connected with the construction, includes an architect’s plan of the site, eight aerial views before, during and after construction, three images of the works from ground level, and five of the welcoming ceremony after the arrival of the first plane to land at the new airport, in May 1960. The airport officially opened a year later, on 1 May 1961.
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