144 x 107 mm. A group portrait showing Prempeh I seated among his entourage, a figure behind the king holding an umbrella above the Asantehene's head. Prempeh (circa 1871-1931) was installed as Asantehene on March 26 1888 at the early age of about seventeen and after a number of succession disputes. On his instalment he assumed the title Osai Kwaku Dua III and six years later, on June 11 1894, he formally acceded to the Golden Stool of Asante, having, after defeating the Brong States to the north, largely restored the old Asante Empire. In the same year the British stepped up moves to place a resident at Kumasi and this being rejected, mounted the campaign of 1896 which resulted in the formation of a protectorate and the exile of Prempeh, first to Elmina, then to Freetown and finally to the Seychelles. After an abortive rising in 1900, Asante itself was annexed and became a Crown Colony in 1902. Prempeh himself was allowed to return as a private citizen in 1924, and was recognised as the Kumasehene in 1926, wielding considerable power under the system of indirect rule until his death in 1931. It has not been determined when Alldridge took this photograph, although his dating on the caption is possibly erroneous. Premeh in this picture looks considerably older than the sixteen years he would be if the photograph were taken in 1887. It seems possible, therefore, that it was taken some time after 1896 (?October 1897) when Prempeh was moved to Freetown.