Between the Covers

Softcover. Oblong octavo. Measuring 13" x 9". String-tied album with decorative paper over boards containing 240 gelatin silver photographs, measuring between 2.25" x 1.75" and 4.75" x 3", most with captions in German; additionally there are a dozen or more postcards mixed in. Very good or better album with moderate wear at the edges and the spine with near fine photographs.

A Bohemian German officer's album of his experiences in the First World War, beginning in February 1915 with his training in the city of Pirna, then shifting to the Western Front, showing the devastation in and around Bétheniville, Vaudricourt (Somme), and Auberive. In late 1916 he was transferred to the Russian Front in the Baltics, first to Riga, then on to Jelgava (Mitau) in Central Latvia, Tartu (Dorpat) in Estonia, and Liep?ja (Libau) in Latvia. Includes striking images of artillery fire at night, devastated cities, photos from the front lines showing scenes of the trenches and no man's land, and images of towns and buildings long since destroyed.

Many of the photos show the men making the best of their situation with groups pouring wine, playing guitar, and playing card games to pass the time. They also spent their days marching through the ruined towns of Europe and performing tasks such as building bridges and trenches. One of these photos shows the building of a bridge across Elbe by German soldiers. Another photo shows them working at a switchboard as part of the early signal corps. Civilians are seen throughout the album including Sudeten Germans also known as the “Bohemian Germans” who would later become part of Czechoslovakia. There are a few women represented in the photos, one shows two officers entertaining dates, another is a small photo of a nurse in full uniform. A few small photos towards the end of the album show ships at sea in December 1918.

A notable collection of images of The Great War documenting the conflict from both fronts.

Item #403268