(SOCIETE DES INCAS) Large album with over 100 photographs documenting costumed members of the Society of the Incas at the Fetes Populaires in Valenciennes, France. With numerous portraits of society members in traditional Peruvian costumes, dressed to march through the streets of Valenciennes in the yearly philanthropic parade, put on for the benefit of those less fortunate. Albumen prints, the images measuring 6x5 1/2 inches (15.2x14 cm.), the two-toned mounts 17x13 inches (43.2x33 cm.), each with the photographer's credit, and location printed on mount recto. 1866-67
The roots of the Society of the Incas trace back to 1825. It was founded upon the idea of giving to those less fortunate (then prisoners) at the end of Mardi Gras, beginning the period of Lent. It was named as such, and costume tradition remains, due to the Peruvian Mardi Gras costumes that were being worn when the first acts of generosity took place. By 1851 the society had 1500 members and by the 1860s there would be yearly marches through the streets of Valenciennes, headed by the society's motto "Charity Leads Us."
