Ceylon, circa 1880
by W. L. H. Skeen & Co

During the later half of the 19th century, the scotsman William L. H. Skeen ran one of the premier photography firms in Ceylon (currently Sri Lanka), specializing in landscape photography, ethnic portraits and documentation of the agriculture and industry of this island nation. This photograph, one of a series of 30 documenting the bourgeoning tea industry, shows men packing and weighing tea leaves in preparation for shipment.