Original Item: One-of-a-kind-set. Here we have a wonderful personal photo album with some professional shots but mostly personal snapshots, some of which have military/civilian Naval vessels, artillery, soldiers and officers. All photos are held in place with period corner tabs. Front cover features a silver and separately applied Wehrmachtadler eagle in the upper left. The lower right is embossed with Zur Erinnerungen an Meine Dienstzeit (In Memory of My Service). The album measures approximately 10 ½” x 7 ½”.
A total of 91 photographs fill the pages of this album, making it a treasure-trove of images taken from the viewpoint of a young, patriotic German soldier. The pages are not captioned, and are separated by “spiderweb” pattern “onion skin” separators. The photos show Army uniforms (both summer white and field gray), marching scenes, ceremonies, and other events such as funeral services.
Historical records like this album have become priceless time capsules that provide an incomparable level of insight into the individual experience of the Second World War, now that almost eighty years have passed.
The older albums such as these usually withstand the ravages of time. The leather or fabric covers may wear, but the pages stay well intact. The black paper albums of the early 20th century are more fragile, while the glue from magnetic albums can damage photographs. And, as with all old photographs, keep albums in a safe, climate controlled environment.