| Description | The collection comprises about 50 photographic prints of Egyptian scenes in and around Cairo and Giza, acquired by Frank Dean while in Egypt in 1913. Most of the prints include some handwritten commentary and observations by Frank Dean on the back, dated '1913' or 'May 1913'. The prints appear to have been produced commercially, and are stamped with the names of photographers including Jean Pascal Sébah (1872-1947), Paul Dittrich (1868-1939) and the Zangaki brothers. Some of the prints are numbered by Dean on the back, suggesting that they were arranged (or sent home) in sequence. Most of the images are black and white, although there are a few tinted prints and colour postcards. There are also a group of smaller prints that appear to have been compiled from magazines and cigarette cards, pasted on paper, relating to Port-Said and Nubia, along with a loose printed page about exploration of caves with an image of Cuba's limestone in the Caves of Bellamar.
There are also two items from later in Frank Dean's life: a map of Sheffield in a green case marked as belonging to F N Dean, No.16 Balloon Centre, RAF Norton, Sheffield, and a copy of Major C R Conder's pamphlet 'Illustrated Bible Geography and Atlas' [n.d. but published in 1936] - including maps and photographic images of Palestine - that has handwritten note on the end paper - 'F.N. Dean, 35 Kent Road, Bingley, 22-12-48.' |
| Admin History | Francis Nicholson Dean (1885-1953) was born in Girlington, Bradford on 7 September 1985, baptised on 8 November 1885 in St Michael and All Angels, Cottingley, living in Bingley for 1891 and 1901 censuses. He spent twelve years in the armed forces (service no. 28666). Joined the Royal Engineers on 18 August 1908, stationed in Egypt 1911-1914 then transferred to France where he served as Lance Corporal in the Royal Flying Corps (1916), and was promoted to the rank of Flight Sergeant in 1917. He was a Chief Mechanic in the Royal Air Force in 1918, transferred to the RAF reserve in 1920 and was discharged the same year. In 1917 he married Bertha Horne in Leeds. They had three children - Joseph, Thomas and Clara - and seem to have lived most of their lives in Bingley. During the Second World War he was stationed at No.16 Balloon Centre (Barrage Balloons), RAF Norton, just outside Sheffield.
He died in July 1953. These items were donated to Dionisius Agius (then at Leeds University) by Frank Dean's daughter-in-law, Mrs Joyce Dean, in 2007. |