Original German WWII Heer Army Personal Photo Album with Many Pictures Showing Skiing in Alpine Areas – 122 Photos Original Items

Original Item: One-of-a-kind-set. Here we have a wonderful Army Heer personal photo album, filled with what looks to be almost entirely personal photographs. It is covered in the standard gray / green cloth cover, and has an embossed silver Heer Wehrmachtadler Eagle in the upper left corner. The inside front cover looks to have a name written in the upper left, which we unfortunately are not able to read accurately. The title page reads Erinnerung an die Wehrdiensſtzeit im Dritten Reich (Memories of my Service in the Third Reich), and the first few pages show the top brass of the German Wehrmacht, including der Führer Adolf H. The album measures approximately 10 3/8” x 7 1/2”, and is bound with a tri-color rayon cord through the binding. The rear cover is embossed with a maker mark, which we unfortunately cannot read.

A total of 122 photographs fill the pages of this album, making it a treasure-trove of images taken from the viewpoint of a young, patriotic German soldier. These are contained on 18 pages following the introduction pages, and they do not have any separators between the pages. Almost all of these are held in the place with corner tabs, though a few may be held in place by glue. The photos show Heer soldiers in various locations, both in and out of uniform. There are also many pictures taken in the Alpine regions during the winter, with many showing skiing in the snow. There are really some beautiful pictures of the Alpine regions in this album. After these there are pictures in various locations, and also a good number showing soldiers in the hospital, followed by some parade and group pictures. Definitely some great research potential in this album!

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.