Listing of pre-1922 photographer studios active in Smyrna

Researched and compiled by Fabio Tito and Forum members, 2010

Smyrna from the mid 19th century acquired a wealthy elite, comprimising sections from all sections of the multi-ethnic society. The photographers reflected this diversity as their names testify.

1- “Imerologion ke Odigos Smirnis tu Visektu Etous 1876” was prepared by Th. K. and S. K.
2- “Pankosmios Emborikos Odigos tu Etus 1908” was prepared by Mihail I. Mihailidis and published by Amalthia.
3- “Ellinikos Odigos 1919” Second edition Pontiki Athens 1992
4- Further but partial information on Rubelin and Alexander Svoboda in the web site here:
5- Further information from the book “Abdullah Freres”, Ozendes Engin, YKY:
In 1863, there was a branch of Abdullah Frères in Smyrna, for a short period (p. 207).
6- The 1901 edition of L’Indicateur Ottoman, announces that Cosmi Abdullah and Antoine Zilpoch opened a photographic studio together in Izmir (Rue Franque, Local Baindirli, vis-a-vis la Rue Hadji-Stam) (p. 201).
7- Some examples of the photography of C. Abdullah & A. Zilpoche:
8- Though not dealing specifically with Smyrna photographic studios there are books published on the general subject of photography in the Ottoman Empire, such as in English: ‘Photography in the Ottoman Empire, 1839-1919 - Haşet Yayınevi, İstanbul, 1987 (second editon 1995)’, ‘Abdullah Freres, Ottoman Court Photographers, Yapı Kredi Yayınları, 1998’ and in German: ‘Die Fotografie im Osmanischen Reich, Nimet Şeker, Ergon, 2010’.
9- Alexandre (Sandor) Svoboda was born in 1826 in Bagdad, son of Anton Svoboda (Bohemian from Prague), crystal maker, and Euphémie Muradjian (Armenian from Constantinople). He married in 1865, in Smyrna, Marianne “Blanche” Madeleine Tricon (born in Rhodes around 1846) and they had 5 children. She was the descendant of François Tricon, French merchant from Marseilles who settled in Smyrna around 1760 and of Helen Cortazzi.
Alexandre Svoboda was a widower. He had a daughter, Effie Svoboda, from his previous marriage.
He was a photographer but also a painter. Two of his children: Effie Svoboda & Philippe Svoboda were also painters.
He travelled a lot; lived in London for a while, where his 2 last children were born.
His daughter Julie Svoboda, married Isidore Dominique Braggiotti in Constantinople in 1902.
He died in Smyrna on August 8th 1896.
(Source: Carole Boucherot-Duester, descendant of Alexandre Svoboda)

I.P. = Indicateur des Professions Commerciales & Industrielle de Smyrne, de l’Anatolie etc.
A.O. = Annuaire Oriental du Commerce de l’industrie, de l’administration et de la magistrature pour Turquie, Russie, Greece, Roumanie, Bulgarie par Cervati Frères & Cie