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 appears to be a private purchase album.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 3 3/8" x 4 1/2", fifty-two page photograph album with a heavily grained, simulated, red leather covering. The album contains thirty-two, assorted sized, candid, black and white photographs. The photographs include a candid shot of Hitler with an unknown dignitary, a couple of shots of the commemorative memorial/graves of some of the sixteen fallen martyrs of the NSDAP, Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, (National Socialist German Worker’s Party), who were killed during the unsuccessful Beer Hall Putsch of November 9^TH 1923 in front of the Feldherrnhalle monument in Munich. Additional photos feature shots of a large sports field with suspended banners and a few touristy photos. The balance of the photos show soldiers in candid and posed shots wearing assorted uniforms and headgear. The visible uniforms and headgear include the standard M36, field blouses and early service uniforms and greatcoats, visor and overseas caps, transitional helmets and one features a tropical M41 field cap. Also included is a photograph of a German graveyard and two printed obituaries cut from a newspaper. The photos range in size from 2 5/8" x 2 1/4", to, 3" x 2 1/8", with most being the larger format. The photographs are in overall very good condition with minimal age yellowing.

GRADE ****                             PRICE $165.00