Item 64 is a young Egyptian woman, also from around 1870, photographed by Pascal Sebah. Her eyes are those of beauty, but that beauty remains a mystery, as the rest of her features are covered by a veil. £2,000 (US $3,908).

There is nothing quite so stark as the Sahara. Item 67 is a circa 1920 photo from Lehnert and Landrock of the rolling dunes, void of life except for the camel riders peering off in the distance. £1,500 (US $2,931).

Bernard J. Shapero Rare Books may be reached at +44 (0)20 7493 0876 or rarebooks@shapero.com. Their website is www.shapero.com.