Egypt, 1938

Egypt has been, for well over a century at least, a magnet for tourists from all over the world. Among the first of Egypt&rsquos most famous ancient landmarks to get visitors was the Giza complex, with the three Great Pyra&shymids, the Sphinx and a host of other lesser monuments, tombs of various Pharaonic royal family members and workers&rsquo village.

It has long been the custom for local Bedouins to guide well-paying European tourists up to the top of some of the smaller pyramids to see the sunset. However, this photo is unique in many ways. The most obvi&shyous fact is that the well-heeled and beautiful young men and women are having a picnic in the shadow of the Great Pyramid. And what&rsquos more, they&rsquore sun-bathing In a way, they capture a different era, an innocence as well as wealthy easy living that the looming World War II would oblit&shyerate forever. Much water has flowed down the Nile since then...