Monumental for its time, the construction of the Panama Canal locks system is documented in these 41 leaves/81 pages in a series of 132 photographs. There are 69 larger prints ranging in size from 8 9/16" x 6 7/8" to 9 7/8" × 7 7/8", while the majority of images measure 4 14/" x 2 1/2". Each image is glued to the black album page, encased in this 12 3/4" x 10 3/8" photo album.
The construction of the Panama Canal extended across more than three decades. These photographs which were taken roughly between 1907-1910 were made well into the project which began in 1881.
The first images are of the Culebra Cut, an artificial valley that cuts through Continental Divide in Panama, named after the mountain which was excavated for its construction. These photographs provide a look into the equipments used in construction, namely: steam shovels, steam cranes, concrete trains, air drills, underwater machine drills, etc. Throughout, black and white day laborers are seen powering the equipment and doing the backbreaking work of constructing the railways, tunnels, locks systems, etc.
The extensive locks system across the Panama Canal is photographed. including, the Miraflores Lock System, the Gatun Locks, as well as the Gatun Spillway. There are a few pictures from Cuba including "Wreck of the Maine", "The Deadline, Cabana, "Avenue of Royal Palms". "The Catacombs of Havana. Other images include that of the rock crushing plant, suspension bridges, and bridges in Santiago.
One photograph is missing from the page as indicated by paper remnants glued to the page. The first few pages look to have been torn out and the cover shows signs of distress especially at the edges and corners.