These Amazing Vivid Photochromes Depict the Princely County of Tyrol in 1890, a Mountainous Region of The Austro-Hungarian Empire


Library of Congress

These amazing postcards depict the Princely County of Tyrol, an mountainous region of the Austro-Hungarian empire. The pictures were created using the Photochrom process, a revolutionary procedure that consists of producing ink-based images through the direct photographic transfer of an original negative onto litho and chromographic printing plates.

h/t: rarehistoricalphotos


Library of Congress

Hans Jakob Schmid (1856-1924), who worked for the Swiss firm Orell Füssli, invented the technique in the 1880s. The prints look deceptively like color photographs. But when viewed with a magnifying glass the small dots that comprise the ink-based photomechanical image are visible.


Library of Congress

Tyrol is a historical region in the Alps—in Northern Italy and western Austria. The area was historically the core of the County of Tyrol, part of the Holy Roman Empire, Austrian Empire and Austria-Hungary, from its formation in the 12th century until 1919.


Library of Congress

The whole region of Tyrol is located in the Alps. Important rivers in Tyrol are the Adige, Inn and Drau. The region is characterized by many valleys. Some of these valleys are still difficult to reach today. The most important valleys are the Inn Valley and Adige Valley.


Library of Congress

For centuries, the region has been known for transit trade. The most important trade route across the Alps, namely the Brenner Route, traverses the whole of Tyrol and is regarded as a connecting link between the Italian and German speaking areas.


Library of Congress


Library of Congress


Library of Congress


Library of Congress


Library of Congress


Library of Congress


Library of Congress


Library of Congress


Library of Congress


Library of Congress


Library of Congress


Library of Congress


Library of Congress


Library of Congress


Library of Congress


Library of Congress


Library of Congress


Library of Congress


Library of Congress


Library of Congress


Library of Congress


Library of Congress


Library of Congress


Library of Congress


Library of Congress


Library of Congress

If you want more awesome content, subscribe to Design You Trust Facebook page.

More Inspiring Stories

Elegantly Surreal Portraits Of Blue Women From Montreal

2013 National Geographic Photo Contest, “People”, Week 4

A Look into the Minds, or Rather, Desks, of Washington Art Notables

Jungbauernkalender 2020: A New Bavarian Calendar For Young Farmers Has Arrived

Brazil Through The Lens Of David Alan Harvey

Never Before Seen Photos of Bruce Lee From The Family Archive

Photographer Johnny Rudeboy

Photos Of The Europe’s Most Spectacular Car Graveyards As Discovered By Daredevil Outo-Obsessed Explorer

Magnificent Portrait Photos Of Hollywood Icons Taken By Douglas Kirkland

Photographer Hanabi Taikai Captures The Beauty Of Fireworks In Japan

Beautifully Nostalgic Photos Of The Constant Change In Dubai

In the Swim

Revealing Portraits of Heavily Tattooed People Who Normally Cover Their Whole Bodies

Preservation: Photographer Blake Little Creates Conceptual Series Of Human Bodies Totally Covered With Honey

Under the Lens: Atmospheric and Conceptual Photo Works by Elle Hanley

Debbie Harry Photographed By Chris Stein For Punk Magazine Centerfold Shoot In 1976

This Exclusive Photo Book Portrays The Relative Beauty Of Belgian Roads

Photographer Captures Powerful Waves On Lake Erie As Liquid Mountains

Radical Beauty Project Is Challenging Misconceptions Around Down Syndrome Through Conceptual Beauty Shoots

"To The Moon And Back": Breathtaking Manipulated Photos By Robert Jahns

Couple Recreates “Alien” Birth Scene For Maternity Photo Shoot

Miniature Absurdist Scenes With A Darkly Satirical Twist By Frank Kunert

"The Unruliness of Leisure": Photographs of European Summers from 1979-1984

Scottish Photographer Alan McFadyen Digs Pool In Forest For ‘Mirrored’ Wildlife Photos

Spot the Not: Body-Painting Artist Blends Nude Models in Various Landscapes

Typhoon Guchol Hits Across Japan

Stunning Nature Winners from the 1839 Photographer of the Year Awards 2025

Found Photos Show Fashion Styles of ’80s Young Women

Spectacular Winning Images of The Life in Another Light Photo Contest 2020

Photographer Michael Lee Captures London Like You’ve Never Seen Before