BACKGROUND: Basic human instinct dictates that soldiers in the field, regardless of nationality, long for their loved ones at home. As a result it was very common for these soldiers to have themselves photographed and send the photos home or create a photo album to preserve their memories. As today, there were also numerous other reasons to pose for a photograph, new appointments, promotions, weddings anniversaries etc., etc.. Along with the standard, commercially produced photo albums certain units would also purchase personalized photo albums that would have been available for private purchase at garrison and barracks canteens or distributed as a commemorative gift. This example is a commercially produced, private purchase photo album.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 6 5/8" x 9", thirty-four page photo album with multi-colored, striped fabric covering. The album contains sixty-two assorted sized, candid, black and white photographs and cigarette cards. The photographs show groups of soldiers performing a wide variety of different activities and wearing assorted uniforms and headgear. The visible uniforms include the standard M36, field blouses, officer’s service uniforms, greatcoats, shirt sleeve order, convalescence wear and black and field-grey wrap tunics. The visible headgear includes the visor and M34 overseas caps, winter toques and Mountain trooper’s caps. Additional visible uniform details include snow goggles, belts and belt buckles, Mountain trooper’s boots and insignia including the Mountain trooper’s Edelweiss sleeve badge. The photos show the uniformed personnel mounted on horses, gathering around a field kitchen, in a hospital, manning an artillery piece and numerous posed and relaxed, candid shots and touristy landscape and female companion photos. Most of the photographs were taken in mountainous, treed and snowy terrain backgrounds. Some of the photos have handwritten captions that include the dates, "1938", "1939", and, "1940". The photos are all in overall very good condition with minimal age yellowing. Most of the photos are roughly, 2 3/8" x 3 1/2". Nice photographic collection.

GRADE ****                             PRICE $325.00